Trump pens letter to Chinese president

President Trump penned a letter to the Chinese President Xi Jinping, the White House announced on Wednesday.

The letter comes 20 days into Trump’s presidency. Trump and Xi have apparently not spoken by phone since Trump was inaugurated, although they did talk shortly after Election Day. 

“President Donald J. Trump today provided a letter to President Xi Jinping of China, thanking President Xi for his congratulatory letter on the occasion of President Trump’s inauguration and wishing the Chinese people a happy Lantern Festival and prosperous Year of the Rooster,” the statement said.  

“President Trump stated that he looks forward to working with President Xi to develop a constructive relationship that benefits both the United States and China.”

Trump in December phoned Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, breaking years of diplomatic protocol and risking a rift with China. Official U.S. policy recognizes the government of the People’s Republic of China as the only government of China.

As of Feb. 4, the president had spoken to 16 foreign leaders since his inauguration, according to the White House.