Following Donald Trump’s re-election as President of the United States, China has signaled a strong willingness to mend and improve its relations with the U.S. This intent was underscored by a recent conversation between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, during which they discussed critical issues such as trade, fentanyl trafficking, and the future of TikTok. Both leaders described the exchange as positive.

President Xi expressed a desire to "progress in the bilateral relationship," while President Trump emphasized the importance of cooperation in achieving global peace. As a diplomatic gesture, China announced that Vice President Han Zheng would attend Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2025. This is a rare occurrence for Chinese officials at this level and signals Beijing’s intent to cooperate constructively with the new administration. International relations analysts view this as a step toward fostering a stable and cooperative relationship between the U.S. and China.

However, several issues could threaten the bilateral relationship. During his campaign, Trump promised to impose a 10% tariff on all imports into the U.S. if Beijing fails to address issues such as fentanyl trafficking, with a specific 60% tariff on Chinese goods. Additionally, the U.S. Supreme Court recently upheld a law requiring ByteDance to divest its U.S. TikTok assets by a set deadline, adding another layer of complexity to the economic relationship between the two nations.

Further complicating matters, Senator Marco Rubio, an outspoken critic of China, is set to become Secretary of State. This development, combined with Trump’s confrontational stance on issues like Taiwan and human rights, suggests a more adversarial approach from the new administration. In contrast, Chinese officials continue to advocate for "peaceful co-existence" and mutual respect, aiming to manage differences and prevent conflicts while pursuing mutually beneficial cooperation.

In conclusion, China’s recent diplomatic outreach, including rare high-level exchanges and Vice President Han Zheng’s planned visit to the U.S. for Trump’s inauguration, reflects a clear effort to stabilize and improve bilateral ties. However, significant challenges lie ahead. The coming months will reveal whether these positive signals can translate into meaningful advancements in U.S.-China relations.