China and the USA commit to maintaining a positive trade relationship, discussing tariffs, Taiwan, and Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

China's state news agency declared that both China and the USA should 'maintain the momentum' and move in the right direction, based on equality and mutual respect. The leaders of the two countries met in Busan, South Korea, where they agreed on a tariff reduction, with the USA cutting a 20% tax in half to diminish the flow of fentanyl. Although tariffs on Chinese goods remain around 50%, the relationship between the two countries has shown positive developments, according to the Chinese statement. During a phone call lasting about an hour, Xi and Trump discussed trade, but also Russia's invasion of Ukraine and Taiwan. Xi emphasized the importance of 'Taiwan returning to China' for the Chinese vision of the post-war international order. In the context of tensions, the Japanese Prime Minister warned that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could trigger a military response from Japan, while Trump did not mention Taiwan in his post regarding the call. The US ambassador to Japan stated that the US supports Tokyo in the face of 'coercion' from China.