President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he held what he described as a highly successful phone conversation with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, calling it a constructive exchange ahead of his anticipated April trip to Beijing.

According to Trump, the wide-ranging discussion touched on a number of major international and bilateral issues, including trade relations, military matters, Taiwan, Iran, the war between Russia and Ukraine, and increased Chinese purchases of American energy and agricultural goods.

The call took place only hours after Xi participated in a virtual meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, adding geopolitical significance to the timing of the conversation.

Trump later characterized the exchange in a post on Truth Social as productive and focused on the future.

“Many important subjects were discussed, including Trade, Military, the April trip that I will be making to China (which I very much look forward to!), Taiwan, the War between Russia/Ukraine, the current situation with Iran, the purchase of Oil and Gas by China from the United States, the consideration by China of the purchase of additional Agricultural products,” Trump wrote.

Trump said Xi committed to sharply increasing China’s imports of American soybeans, boosting purchases to 20 million tons this season, up from 12 million previously. Trump described the move as a significant victory for U.S. farmers.

“All very positive,” Trump wrote. “The relationship with China, and my personal relationship with President Xi, is an extremely good one, and we both realize how important it is to keep it that way.”

The president also voiced confidence that relations between Washington and Beijing would continue to yield tangible benefits during his time in office.

“I believe that there will be many positive results achieved over the next three years of my Presidency having to do with President Xi, and the People’s Republic of China!” he said.

China’s government issued its own readout of the call, confirming that the two leaders discussed major global issues as well as a series of international summits both countries are expected to host in the coming year. Those gatherings, Beijing noted, could provide opportunities for additional meetings between the two leaders.

The Chinese statement did not mention Trump’s expected April visit to China.

Beijing also used the opportunity to restate its long-standing position on Taiwan, underscoring that it has no intention of relinquishing its objective of reunifying with the self-governing democratic island.

“China will never allow Taiwan to be split,” the Chinese statement said.

{Matzav.com}