Washington, Jun 5 (AP) President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, have spoken amid stalled negotiations between both countries over tariffs that have roiled global trade.

The discussion on Thursday followed Trump suggesting it was tough to reach a deal with Xi.

“I like President XI of China, always have, and always will, but he is VERY TOUGH, AND EXTREMELY HARD TO MAKE A DEAL WITH!!!,” Trump posted Wednesday on his social media site.

Trade negotiations between the United States and China stalled shortly after a May 12 agreement between both countries to reduce their tariff rates in order to have talks. Behind the gridlock has been the continued competition for an economic edge. (AP) SCY SCY

Tariff negotiations stalled as tariff-reduction agreement failed to overcome economic competition, impeding resolution of bilateral trade talks. Stalled bilateral trade negotiations stem from unresolved disagreements over tariff measures and competing economic objectives. A tariff reduction agreement had been adopted to enable talks, but follow-up negotiations failed to yield mutual concessions or a framework to address core competitive tensions, leaving tariff adjustments as both the bargaining instrument and the obstacle to a comprehensive trade arrangement.