The conversation was confirmed by the Chinese foreign ministry, which said Trump initiated the call. The White House did not immediately comment.

The legal confusion over tariffs has buffeted U.S. trading partners around the world, casting doubt on the durability of Trump’s favorite bargaining tool.

President Donald Trump has come up short on striking trade deals with most nations with just one month left before his self-imposed tariff deadline, even as he took his first steps in weeks toward engaging with China.