India, April 29 -- The White House has yet to confirm whether President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping have discussed de-escalating the ongoing trade war between Beijing and Washington. Trump placed massive import taxes on the most of Chinese imports, worrying business leaders and economists who warned about forthcoming disaster.

In a White House press briefing on Tuesday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was asked if he could verify any talks between Trump and Xi Jinping. He sidestepped the question, stating that it was beyond the scope of his official duties to know whether any discussions had taken place.

"I would say [White House Press Secretary] Karoline {Leavitt] and I have a lot of jobs around the White House, running...