Talks are good, but actions are more important

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Chinese President Xi Jinping held phone talks with his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump on Thursday at the latter's request. Xi called for the two sides to recalibrate the direction of the giant ship – China-U.S. relations, steering clear of the various disturbances and disruptions.  The call, which was primarily focused on trade, had "resulted in a very positive conclusion for both countries," Trump wrote on social media.

Thursday's talk – the first direct communication since the trade war began in February – signals a mutual recognition that dialogue is indispensable for managing trade differences and broader bilateral issues.

The relationship between the world's two largest economies shapes not only the fortunes of the countries but also the global economic and geopolitical landscape. Together, China and the U.S. account for nearly half of the world's GDP, underscoring their economic interdependence and influence. Their trade relationship, which has grown 275 times from 1979 to $688.28 billion in goods last year, is a cornerstone of global commerce.

This deep economic integration has created extensive common interests and vast potential for cooperation. As Xi stressed in Thursday's phone talks, recalibrating the direction of the giant ship of China-U.S. relations requires the two presidents to take the helm and set the right course, and it is particularly important to steer clear of the various disturbances and disruptions.

True, differences are inevitable. To manage divergences, dialogue and cooperation, as Xi noted during the phone call, are the only correct choice for China and the United States. "The two sides need to make good use of the economic and trade consultation mechanism already in place, and seek win-win results in the spirit of equality and respect for each other's concerns," Xi said.

Last month's economic and trade meeting between the two countries in Geneva marked an important step forward in resolving disputes through consultation. It laid a foundation for ongoing dialogues and created a formal platform where differences can be addressed on the basis of equality, mutual respect, and shared interests.

The trade war initiated earlier this year demonstrated the high costs of confrontation. Tariffs and trade barriers have disrupted supply chains, increased costs for businesses and consumers, and heightened geopolitical tensions. Such unilateral measures undermine trust and economic stability on both sides.

By contrast, sustained dialogue enables the resolution of disputes through consultation and compromise, paving the way for multi-win outcomes. Thursday's phone call and the Geneva meeting reflect a shared understanding that dialogue is the only viable path forward for both countries to manage differences and foster a stable partnership.

China's sincerity and principled stance in honoring agreements, as Xi highlighted, is a call for the U.S. to recognize progress made and to remove negative trade measures that have disrupted the relationship.

For Washington, this week's phone call and the Geneva meeting represent an opportunity to move beyond rhetoric and demonstrate genuine commitment to cooperation. Trump's acknowledgement of the call as "very good" and his confirmation of follow-up meetings signal Washington's willingness to engage constructively.

"The United States wants the Chinese economy to do very well, and the United States and China working together can get a lot of great things done," Trump said on Thursday, adding that his country will honor the one-China policy and loves to have Chinese students coming to study in America.

However, whether the U.S. could translate these positive signals into concrete actions by removing trade barriers still remains to be seen.

The imperative of dialogue is an international consensus. Talks are important. But walking the talk is even more crucial. China has already demonstrated its sincerity in honoring the agreements, and the world is now watching the United States.

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