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.

News of the call came as new data showed U.S. goods imports dropped significantly in April as sweeping tariffs rolled out.

Donald Trump has said he will visit China after speaking to its leader Xi Jinping over the phone. The US president said he had reciprocated with an invite to the White House during the "very good talk" - though such a trip has not been confirmed by either side.