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Analysts weigh in on Trump–Xi call over trade and TikTok

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A phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday eased tensions but left major issues unresolved, particularly the fate of TikTok and broader trade negotiations. Analysts say the call highlighted China’s confidence in playing the long game, while the U.S. appeared eager to keep talks alive.

Scott Kennedy (CSIS) noted that neither side announced a firm deal, suggesting negotiations are ongoing or that leaders are holding back until more comprehensive progress is made. He argued China feels “relatively unthreatened” and that the talks are unfolding on Xi’s terms.

Bonnie Glaser (German Marshall Fund) observed Trump’s readout was more explicit about TikTok, while Xi avoided Taiwan—perhaps reassured by recent U.S. decisions to delay arms sales and downgrade Taiwan-related engagements.

Craig Singleton (FDD) warned that China may be using summit diplomacy to stall U.S. competitive measures while extracting concessions. He said Beijing is trading symbolic gestures, like fentanyl actions, for relief on tariffs and tech controls, with Washington “hungry for a summit” more than China.

William Yang (ICG) emphasized that Beijing wants U.S. export controls lifted, particularly on advanced chips, before committing to bigger trade deliverables. He said China is betting Trump’s desire for a deal will push him toward concessions, while holding leverage in rare earth supply chains.

Danny Russel (Asia Society) downplayed the outcomes, calling the TikTok reference the only semi-concrete result, while noting the deferral of Trump’s China visit shows how slowly negotiations are moving.

Patrick Cronin (Hudson Institute) framed the call as a temporary easing of rivalry, giving both leaders economic “breathing space” while masking deeper great-power competition beneath the surface.

Ali Wyne (ICG) highlighted the prospect of three in-person meetings—at APEC in South Korea, a Trump trip to China next year, and an eventual Xi visit to the U.S.—calling the sustained engagement welcome, even if no breakthrough on TikTok emerged.

Overall, analysts see Beijing as confident, patient, and willing to leverage time and resources, while Washington seeks symbolic wins to show progress, leaving the TikTok deal and trade negotiations hanging in limbo.

Israeli Military Recovers Bodies of Six Hostages from Gaza Strip

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The Israeli military has announced the recovery of six hostages’ bodies from the Gaza Strip. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that the bodies of Yagev Buchshtab, Alexander Dancyg, Avraham Munder, Yoram Metzger, Chaim Peri, and British-Israeli Nadav Popplewell were retrieved from Khan Younis on Monday. Five of these deaths had been previously confirmed, while Avraham Munder’s survival had been uncertain.

The recovery operation, conducted by the IDF in coordination with the security agency Shin Bet, followed the hostages’ abduction from Kibbutz Nir Oz and Kibbutz Nirim during Hamas’s attacks on southern Israel on October 7. The Hostage Families Forum has expressed that this development provides crucial closure for the families but emphasized that the return of remaining hostages will require a negotiated agreement.

Israel had previously confirmed the deaths of Popplewell, Peri, and Metzger in June, and Buchshtab and Dancyg in July. The IDF’s investigations suggested that some of these men may have been killed by Israeli fire during operations.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant described the body recovery as a result of a “complex operation” and reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to dismantling Hamas. Israeli President Isaac Herzog extended condolences to the families and stressed the ongoing effort to bring all hostages back.

The Hostage Families Forum has urged the Israeli government to expedite the current negotiation process, as discussions continue to secure a ceasefire and hostage release deal. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is actively involved in these negotiations and recently met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who viewed their discussion as positive.

In the broader context of the conflict, the IDF has intensified its operations in Gaza, with recent air strikes resulting in additional casualties. The escalation follows an unprecedented attack by Hamas gunmen on October 7, which resulted in significant Israeli casualties and hostage-taking. The ongoing conflict has led to severe losses on both sides, with significant casualties reported in Gaza.