TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - In a highly anticipated diplomatic move, U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke on the phone for about an hour and a half on Thursday. This direct communication occurred amid escalating trade tensions between the two largest world economies, which have been ongoing for several months.

Mr. Trump said in a post on Truth Social that his call with Xi Jinping, China’s top leader, had focused entirely on the trade relationship between the nations, which has soured in recent months in a dispute over the export of critical minerals used in an array of industries.

China and the United States are accusing each other of reneging on their tariff truce as tensions rise over rare earths exports, computer chips and student visas.