Donald Trump says he has spoken to Chinese President Xi Jinping since he returned to the White House on 20 January.
The US president made the comments in an interview aired on Fox News tonight.
“Yeah… I have talked to him and I have talked to his people, too,” Mr Trump said when asked if he has spoken to the Chinese leader during his second term as president.
“We have a very good personal relationship,” Mr Trump added.
The president did not provide details on when exactly the call happened or what was discussed.
Mr Trump said last week he was in no hurry to speak to Mr Xi to try to defuse a new trade war between the world’s two largest economies.
A conversation between Mr Xi and Mr Trump is seen as crucial to a potential easing or delay of trade tariffs.
Beijing imposed targeted tariffs on US imports last week and put several companies, including Alphabet’s Google, on notice for possible sanctions, in a measured response after Mr Trump imposed 10% duties on all imports from China.
Washington and Beijing have had tense relations for years over differences ranging from trade tariffs and cybersecurity to Taiwan, Hong Kong, human rights and the origins of COVID-19.
Mr Trump and Mr Xi had spoken just before Trump took office in January and discussed issues including TikTok, trade and Taiwan.
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