Former U.S. President Donald Trump described his recent conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping as "friendly" and expressed confidence in the potential to reach a trade deal with China. The phone call, which occurred before Trump assumed office on Monday, covered pressing topics including trade, TikTok, and Taiwan.

In an interview with Fox News, Trump emphasized the importance of fair trade practices, stating, "I can do that," when asked about making a deal with China. While Trump acknowledged the leverage of tariffs as a "tremendous power," he expressed a preference not to use them unless necessary.

"We have one very big power over China, and that's tariffs, and they don't want them," Trump said, while noting the potential for negotiation without resorting to punitive measures.

The call comes amid longstanding tensions between the world’s two largest economies, which are locked in disputes over trade, technology, and military strategy. Key concerns include the U.S.'s allegations of fentanyl trafficking through Chinese sources and ownership issues surrounding TikTok, a social media giant owned by Chinese firm ByteDance.

During his campaign, Trump had vowed to impose a 10% tariff on Chinese imports but has yet to implement such measures. The former president has also issued tariff threats against other major economies, including the European Union, Mexico, and Canada.

As Washington continues to navigate its complex relationship with Beijing, Trump remains optimistic about finding common ground, reiterating his commitment to addressing trade imbalances while fostering diplomatic dialogue.