Hours before the latest China tariffs the Trump admin told them to request a Xi-Trump call

So we're all being held hostage by two men who are too proud to pick up the phone...

CNN reports:

• In private discussions hours before China announced new retaliatory tariffs, the Trump administration warned Chinese officials against such a move
• The Chinese were also told – once again – that Chinese President Xi Jinping should request a call with US President Donald Trump
• Two senior White House officials tell CNN that the US will not reach out to China first
• Beijing has repeatedly refused to arrange a leader-level phone call
• The Trump administration has balked at China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi serving as the interlocutor

Xi also went on to make a statement that China wasn't afraid of suppression.