Kurt Campbell, who oversees the India and Pacific Regions for the White House National Security Council, emphasized that Washington is open to a potential direct phone conversation between the U.S. president and the Chinese leadership. Speaking at a public event hosted by the Center for a New American Security in Washington, Campbell underscored that keeping channels of communication with Beijing active is a deliberate choice aimed at reducing friction in bilateral engagements. This stance reflects a broader U.S. preference for diplomacy and steady engagement even when disagreements persist on a range of strategic issues.
Campbell made clear that the administration has clearly signaled its readiness for a direct call between President Joe Biden and President Xi Jinping if circumstances permit. The message signals an ongoing commitment to high-level dialogue as a tool for managing tensions, aligning with a broader strategy to avoid missteps in critical moments and to preserve space for constructive engagement across sensitive topics.
Earlier reporting from Bloomberg, citing unnamed sources, indicated that National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan spoke by phone on March 24 with Wang Yi, a long-time Chinese official who chairs the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Chinese Communist Party’s Central Committee. The disclosure suggested that discussions touched on delicate issues in U.S.-China relations, which have been tense in recent months. This account hints at a continued effort to address core areas of disagreement through confidential channels, even when public rhetoric remains cautious.
The Bloomberg report noted that Sullivan’s conversation with Wang Yi had not been publicly disclosed at the time, a choice attributed to the sensitive nature of the moment in bilateral relations. The briefing did not reveal the exact topics explored during those talks, reflecting the careful handling of potentially volatile topics in an already fragile relationship.
In the lead-up to these developments, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre had indicated that efforts were underway to arrange another telephone conversation between Biden and Xi, although specific timing and topics had not been disclosed. The public briefings offered no definitive agenda or scheduling details, inviting observers to await official updates and monitor for any new information that could signal a shift in tone or intention in the U.S.-China dialogue.
Overall, the sequence of remarks and reports points to a deliberate strategy: maintain open lines of communication, pursue direct presidential engagement when feasible, and use discreet channels to navigate sensitive issues. The White House appears intent on balancing firmness on core interests with the pragmatic possibility of dialogue at the highest levels, recognizing that steady diplomacy can help prevent misunderstandings and miscalculations as global dynamics evolve. Observers continue to watch for a formal invitation or timetable that could move these conversations from the possibility stage toward concrete negotiation or planning, signaling a renewed momentum in U.S.-China diplomacy from the current administration. Attribution: White House communications; Bloomberg reporting; Center for a New American Security event coverage. The overarching aim remains clear—engage, manage, and reduce friction where possible, while standing firm on national interests, alliance commitments, and regional stability—through careful, controlled, and often private diplomacy.