China’s President Xi Jinping has reached out to longtime contacts in Iowa with a message of optimism about future U.S.-China cooperation, according to Chinese state media reports released Monday.
Writing to Iowa businessman Luca Berrone and others who sent New Year’s greetings, Xi expressed confidence that Americans and Chinese will continue seeking cooperation and exchanges, no matter how government relations between the two nations develop.
“The hope of U.S.-China relations lies in the people,” Xi stated in his response to the Iowa group, whom he first encountered during a 1985 visit to the state as a provincial leader from Hebei province studying agricultural practices.
The personal correspondence comes as Xi prepares for an anticipated April meeting with President Trump, following a rocky period in diplomatic relations between the world’s two largest economies.
Last year brought significant challenges to the relationship, with Trump threatening to slap additional 100% tariffs on Chinese goods in October. However, the year also witnessed an unexpected cultural bridge-building moment when Trump’s proposed TikTok restrictions drove American users to explore Chinese social media platform RedNote.
A trend called “Chinamaxxing” also gained traction among younger Americans, reflecting growing fascination with Chinese culture and technology among Generation Z users.
Diplomatic relations showed signs of improvement after Xi and Trump held discussions in South Korea last October, resulting in a one-year extension of existing trade agreements. During those talks, Trump agreed to reduce some tariffs while Beijing committed to intensifying efforts against illegal fentanyl trafficking, resuming American soybean imports, and temporarily halting restrictions on rare earth mineral exports.
The leaders followed up with an unexpected phone conversation in early February, addressing Taiwan and other security concerns. Trump reported that Xi indicated China might expand its purchases of American soybeans, a key crop for Iowa farmers.
Trump announced plans last month to visit China in April, with Xi expected to make a reciprocal trip to the United States later in 2026.
Xi has maintained personal connections with Iowa contacts over the decades, including Sarah Lande, another friend from his original 1985 visit. In 2022, he sent Lande New Year’s wishes emphasizing the global need for stable U.S.-China relations during pandemic-related tensions.
