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Donald Trump has said that “contracts are very difficult” as two countries face claims from the US that China is abolishing the trade ceasefire signed in Geneva last month.
“I like President XI of China, always and always, but he is very difficult and very difficult to make a deal!!!” the US President said on his true social platform.
It was not immediately clear whether Trump’s comments were in response to recent direct contact with Xi.
Comments follow accusations from Washington last week, which has led to a shortage that could not withstand promises to approve licenses for rare earth exports, threatening to shut down some of the US industry.
This week, China accused the US of “seriously violating” the trade ceasefire that two economic forces agreed to in Switzerland.
Trump and his officials argued that conversations between the US president and his Chinese counterparts were needed to resolve the trade dispute, but Beijing has given no indication that he has agreed to a call between the two leaders.
On Tuesday, China’s Foreign Minister King told US Ambassador, China’s Ambassador David Purdue that Beijing “has seriously and strictly implemented the consensus that both sides have reached” in Geneva.
“Unfortunately, the US has recently introduced a series of negative measures on unfounded basis that undermine China’s legitimate rights and interests.
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After Geneva talks, the two countries have cut tariffs on each other’s goods for at least the next 90 days, bringing the US imposed on China this year to 30% and China has dropped to 10%.
As part of the transaction, China also agreed to “suspend or cancel” non-tariff measures against the US, but did not provide details.
US authorities believe Beijing will unleash rare earth export restrictions announced in early April, and are increasingly frustrated by the slow pace of approval.
The Chinese said the US violated the Geneva agreement by globally strengthening control of Huawei chips, halting sales of chip design software to Chinese companies, and canceling visas for Chinese students.
