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Leader Donald Trump has confirmed that he plans to visit Beijing in spring and asked Chinese President Xi Jinping for a state visit later next year, following a phone call between the two heads of state.

Trump and Xi—who convened recently in South Korea—covered a series of matters including economic relations, the situation in Ukraine, fentanyl, and the Taiwan issue, as stated by the former president and Beijing's diplomatic corps.

"Our relationship with China is very robust!" Trump stated in a social media update.

Beijing's press outlet issued a announcement that noted both states should "maintain progress, keep moving forward in the positive way on the principle of parity, esteem and mutual benefit".

Earlier Talks and Commerce Progress

The leaders met in the South Korean city of Busan in last October, following which they agreed to a truce on trade taxes. The US opted to reduce a 20 percent duty in half aimed at the flow of fentanyl.

Trade taxes continue on imports and average close to half.

"From that point, the bilateral relations has largely sustained a stable and upward path, and this is appreciated by the both nations and the wider global audience," the Chinese statement said.

• The United States then pulled back a threat of 100% additional tariffs on Chinese goods, while the Chinese government postponed its scheme to enforce its new set of rare earth export controls.

Economic Emphasis

The administration's spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said that the phone discussion with Xi—which went on for an hour—was focused on trade.

"We are satisfied with what we've observed from the China, and they feel the same way," she noted.

Broader Topics

Besides discussing commerce, Xi and Trump broached the issues of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the Taiwan situation.

Xi informed Trump that Taiwan's "return to China" is essential for the Chinese outlook for the "world order following wars".

The Chinese government has been engaged in a foreign policy clash with Japan, a American partner, over the long-term "vague stance" on the authority of Taiwan.

In the past few weeks, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said that an eventual military action by China on Taiwan could force a reaction by Tokyo's army.

Trump, but, did not discuss Taiwan in his social media update about the call.

US Ambassador to Japan, George Glass, noted before that the U.S. government backs Tokyo in the aftermath of Beijing's "intimidation".