Trump said in his Truth Social post that the hour-and-a-half conversation phone call was “focused almost entirely on TRADE,” while the Chinese readout singled out Xi’s stern warning on Taiwan – the reddest of lines for Beijing – and the issue of Chinese student visas.

A key component of the Biden administration’s China strategy was a focus on bolstering ties with allies and partners to counter Beijing’s growing global footprint. Trump’s approach to China — and the rest of the world — hinges on tariffs and trade. How effective is that?