U.S. President, Donald Trump has expressed optimism about reaching a trade agreement with China, despite the ongoing stalemate between the two global economic powers.

peaking from the White House in response to a reporter’s question about initiating contact with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Trump said,

“Oh, we’re going to make a deal. I think we are going to make a very good deal with China.”

Although Trump did not provide details or a clear timeline on how negotiations would resume, his comments suggested a willingness to break the deadlock.

Earlier the same day, China’s Ministry of Commerce called on the United States to cease applying what it described as “extreme pressure” on the world’s second-largest economy. Beijing emphasized the need for mutual respect in any potential trade negotiations, though both nations appeared to disagree on who should take the first step.

While Trump has temporarily eased some of the tariffs recently imposed on goods from multiple trade partners, he maintained newly implemented import duties on Chinese products, which together amount to $145 billion in tariffs.