Trump says call with Xi went 'very well'

Positive comment, though not surprising.

Trump is starting a meeting with Merz:

• We will have a great relationships with Germany
• It's sad what's happening with Russia-Ukraine
• Trade talks with China have never been off track
• Straightened out complexity
• Straigthened out rare earths
• In good shape with China on a trade deal
• I'll be going to China at some point, Xi will be coming here
• We have a deal with China and want to make sure all understand it
• Honored to have Chinese students in USA
• I think Harvard is starting to behave

Merz:

• We have a good basis for cooperation

A separate report says the EU has made changes to its trade team to respond more swiftly to political questions that arise.

Trump:

"We have a deal with China, as you know, but we were straightening out some of the points, having to do mostly with rare earth magnets and some other things." Reduced tariff rates negotiated in Geneva remain in effect, he says.