BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday (Jun 5) held talks with US President Donald Trump by phone, the official Xinhua news agency reported.

The call was made on Trump's request, Xinhua added, without providing further details about the leaders' conversation. It comes as Washington and Beijing clash over areas such as trade and student visas.

The White House earlier raised expectations of a phone call, with its spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt saying on Monday that Trump would likely speak with Xi this week to iron out differences over last month's tariff agreement in Geneva, including the handling of critical minerals.

But early Wednesday, Trump appeared to dampen hopes for a quick resolution.

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