In brief
In a phone conversation on Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed key issues of trade, Taiwan, and the situation in Ukraine. Xi insisted Taiwan's integration into mainland China is crucial for post-war international order, echoing China's firm stance on the matter. The U.S. has maintained a neutral position regarding Taiwan's sovereignty but remains opposed to any forceful measures against it. The two leaders discussed enhancing their bilateral relationship and the need for concrete actions following previous negotiations.
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke by phone on Monday to discuss trade, Taiwan, and Ukraine, according to the White House and Chinese officials, nearly one month after the two met in person in Busan, South Korea.
During this phone call, Xi reiterated that Taiwan's return to mainland China is an integral part of the post-war international order, reflecting China's strong position on its claim over the self-governing island.
While a White House official confirmed the conversation took place, no further details were released. This dialogue follows comments from Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, implying Japan's military could intervene if China took action against Taiwan, showcasing the interconnected nature of regional security among U.S. allies.
China has since criticized Takaichi's remarks, as relations between Beijing and Tokyo have further deteriorated. Xi underscored the historical cooperation between China and the U.S. during WWII, advocating for a joint commitment to safeguard their mutual victories against militarism.
Trump has historically adopted a position of strategic ambiguity regarding military support for Taiwan, encouraging the island to bolster its defense budget. Recently, the Trump administration approved a substantial arms sale to Taiwan, which Beijing condemned as a violation of its sovereignty principles.
On the trade front, while the discussions encompassed U.S. agricultural exports, including American soybeans, no concrete agreements were disclosed. Xi expressed a desire to foster a steady relationship moving forward and emphasized resolving the Ukraine crisis at its roots.