Beijing and Washington have sustained high-level communication, as evidenced by a call on Thursday between U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and China's Executive Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu. This interaction highlights the ongoing dialogue following their recent trade détente. The U.S. State Department confirmed that the two officials "addressed a wide range of topics of shared interest" and "exchanged perspectives on key issues," although detailed specifics were not disclosed. Both parties emphasized the significance of the bilateral relationship and consented to maintain open communication channels. This conversation occurs amidst renewed tensions, despite a recent easing of tariffs after discussions in Switzerland. China has responded critically to a U.S. advisory for companies to steer clear of Chinese-produced AI chips, particularly those from Huawei. The Ministry of Commerce has condemned this advisory as "unilateral bullying" and accused the U.S. of undermining trade negotiations.