Xi Jinping Congratulates Donald Trump, Seeks "Stable, Healthy" Ties

Photo : Reuters

Chinese President Xi Jinping has congratulated U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, emphasizing the importance of maintaining stable and healthy relations between China and the United States. Xi's comments come amid growing uncertainty following Trump's decisive victory in the U.S. presidential election, which could signal significant shifts in U.S.-China relations. These relations have been strained in recent years due to ongoing tensions over issues such as trade policies, human rights concerns, and Taiwan’s status.

In a message to Trump, Xi reminded him that “history has shown that China and the United States benefit from cooperation and suffer from confrontation.” The Chinese president stressed the mutual importance of a stable and sustainable relationship between the two countries, highlighting that such a relationship would benefit not only China and the U.S. but also meet the expectations of the global community.

Xi further urged both countries to “strengthen dialogue and communication” and “properly manage differences” in order to find a way to “get along” in the evolving geopolitical landscape. He said the two nations must work together in the new era to ensure that their relationship benefits not only their own citizens but also the broader international community.

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The message from Xi comes at a time when U.S.-China relations are at a crossroads. During the presidential campaign, both Trump and his rival, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, signaled their intent to take a tougher stance on China. Trump has been particularly vocal about his trade policies, having previously proposed implementing 60 percent tariffs on all Chinese goods entering the U.S. in a bid to restore what he views as a fairer balance in the bilateral trade relationship. 

Yun Sun, a Senior Fellow at the Stimson Center, noted that Trump’s “maximum pressure” tactics, which include tariffs as a bargaining tool, would likely be a key aspect of his administration’s approach to China. As president-elect, Trump has vowed to negotiate aggressively with China to reduce its trade surplus and address what he claims are unfair practices. Xi's recent comments suggest that Beijing is prepared to engage in dialogue despite these tensions, with hopes for a more stable, mutually beneficial future relationship.

Xi's message also emphasized the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation between China and the U.S. He said that such values should guide the future direction of their relationship. Earlier this week, China expressed its hope for peaceful coexistence with the U.S., although officials have remained cautious about the potential implications of Trump’s victory on the future of U.S.-China ties.

In a separate communication, Chinese Vice President Han Zheng also sent a message to U.S. Vice President-elect JD Vance. Both Xi and Trump have met four times in the past, and Trump has previously praised his personal relationship with the Chinese president. The former president has even claimed that his strong ties with Xi would allow him to prevent any aggression from China, particularly concerning Taiwan, by threatening significant tariffs.

China’s government is closely monitoring the developments in the U.S. as it prepares to respond to the expected economic policies under Trump. Analysts predict that Trump’s proposed tariffs could affect up to $500 billion worth of Chinese exports to the U.S., which would further strain the trade relationship. 

To counteract the potential economic fallout, experts suggest that China will likely respond with a mix of limited retaliation and more domestic policy support to stabilize its economy. Tao Wang, Chief China Economist at UBS Investment Research, noted that Beijing’s strategy will focus on cushioning the impact of the trade tensions while boosting its economic growth through domestic measures.

As the two countries enter a new phase in their bilateral relations, the world watches closely to see how Beijing and Washington will navigate the challenges ahead. With the U.S. administration preparing for significant changes, both sides will need to find common ground to ensure that their relationship continues to evolve in a way that benefits both nations and the international community.