Chinese President Xi Jinping called for efforts to promote economic globalization and multilateralism at an international economic forum on Friday, as his country positions itself as the defender of free trade systems that observers say are hurt by President Donald Trump’s tariff hikes and “America first” policy.

U.S. negotiators have signaled they seek a return to a fragile trade war truce, but tensions remain high and longer-term economic irritants will likely persist between the geopolitical rivals.

Trump added that the deal included China immediately buying "tremendous amounts of soybeans and other farm products", a key issue for Trump's support in farm country and a point of leverage for Beiji...