President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping have begun a phone call amid a large-scale trade dispute between the two nations.

"Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday held phone talks with U.S. President Donald Trump at the latter's request," Chinese state media outlet Xinhua reported. Trump has yet to comment on the details of the call. 

The pair have yet to meet in person since Trump's return to the White House. The diplomatic and economic situation between both nations has been exceptionally tense in recent weeks after Trump imposed large-scale tariffs on Chinese imports, eventually leading to a preliminary trade deal.

Nevertheless, subsequent negotiations have proved challenging.