China congratulates Trump as ties enter new phase - BNN Bloomberg

(Bloomberg) — China congratulated Donald Trump on his victory in the U.S. election, with the newly elected president reportedly speaking on the phone with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

A State Department spokesperson praised the Republican for his victory over Kamala Harris, according to a statement late Wednesday evening. “We respect the choice of the American people and congratulate Mr. Trump on his election as President of the United States,” the spokesperson said.

CNN has reported that Xi and Trump held a phone call on Wednesday in which the Chinese leader also congratulated the newly elected president, citing people he did not identify.

Beijing is usually quick to congratulate the winner of the US presidential election, except when President Joe Biden won the 2020 election. China was one of the few countries to withhold comment for days as Trump disputed the results.

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Trump started a trade war with China in 2018 and has threatened to slap Chinese shipments with 60% tariffs once he returns to power, a move that would hurt trade between the world’s two largest economies and undermine China’s economy.