Xi Jinping Warns Trump on Taiwan, Emphasizes Need for Proper Handling to Avoid Conflict
During a summit in Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping cautioned U.S. President Donald Trump that mishandling the Taiwan issue could lead to clashes and jeopardize bilateral relations.
Chinese President Xi Jinping cautioned U.S. President Donald Trump that improper handling of the Taiwan issue could lead to "clashes and even conflicts," potentially jeopardizing the entire bilateral relationship.
The two leaders met in Beijing to discuss various topics, including trade relations and the ongoing conflict in Iran. The closed-door session lasted approximately two hours and 15 minutes. Following the meeting, they visited Beijing's historic Temple of Heaven.
Xi emphasized that the Taiwan question is the most important issue in China-U.S. relations. He stated that if handled properly, the bilateral relationship would enjoy overall stability; otherwise, it could lead to clashes and even conflicts, putting the entire relationship in great jeopardy.
The White House did not mention Taiwan in its description of the meeting. The United States has provided military support to Taiwan and opposes any unilateral change to the status quo, maintaining a longstanding policy of strategic ambiguity regarding Taiwan's defense.
Both leaders also addressed economic ties, with Xi noting that China-U.S. economic relations are mutually beneficial. He highlighted that recent discussions between their economic and trade teams produced generally balanced and positive outcomes, emphasizing that trade wars have no winners.
On the topic of Iran, the White House stated that the two leaders agreed on the importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open to support the free flow of energy. Xi expressed China's opposition to the militarization of the Strait and any effort to charge a toll for its use, and he showed interest in purchasing more American oil to reduce China's dependence on the Strait in the future. Both countries agreed that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon.
The summit also included discussions on expanding market access for American businesses into China and increasing Chinese investment into U.S. industries. Several American business leaders, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, and outgoing Apple CEO Tim Cook, joined portions of the meeting. China is a key market for many of their companies, with Nvidia seeking to sell more advanced chips to China.
The meeting concluded with both leaders expressing optimism about the future of U.S.-China relations. Trump emphasized his personal relationship with Xi, calling him a friend and a "great leader," and stating that they have always been able to work out their disagreements. He also said the U.S. is eager to do business with China, expressing confidence in a "fantastic future together."