Xi Jinping Speaks with Trump Hours After Putin Talks; Rare Earths, Nuclear Treaty Discussed

• Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke with US President Donald Trump via telephone, hours after a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
• This marks a rare instance of Xi holding talks with both leaders on the same day, following their last conversation in November.
• The call with Trump occurred a day before the expiration of the New START Treaty, with Trump urging China to join the nuclear arms agreement, which Beijing declined.
• Discussions with Trump also coincided with a US-hosted meeting of 50 nations aimed at countering China's dominance in rare-earth metals.
• Xi and Putin discussed a "grand plan" to advance China-Russia ties amidst a turbulent international situation, emphasizing global strategic stability.