Kamala Harris Says She Spoke to Chinese President Xi, Admits ‘There’s Tension’

Vice President Kamala Harris recently spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping as President Joe Biden described China as a "ticking time bomb" due to their economic struggles.

In an interview with Face the Nation's Margaret Brennan, Harris condemned China's "unprovoked actions" against the Philippines in the South China Sea and detailed minor "tension" felt between her and Xi during a brief encounter.

Harris told Brennan she's "met" with Xi, but said they merely "exchanged pleasantries" and only briefly spoke.

"Was it tense?" Brennan asked.

"I don't think it's as simple if you will, as whether there's tension. Yes, there's tension when you are in a competition of any sort. But that does not mean that we are seeking conflict," Harris said. "And I think it's important to not conflate the two. Yes and we're very clear about that. So one could argue that there's tension there, but you look for example, at trade, 99 percent of our trade is not influenced by what we are doing in terms of the restrictions on exports."

The vice president said she isn't sure if Xi will be attending a summit for world leaders in San Francisco this November, but said she would like to see him there to promote open lines of communication.

"I think he is absolutely an important player in this region of the world," she said. "And if he comes, then that will be, I'm sure, something that could be productive."