WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke by phone on Monday to discuss trade, Taiwan, and the Ukraine crisis, per reports from the White House and Chinese officials, nearly one month after their meeting in Busan, South Korea. Xi expressed the view that Taiwan's return to China is 'a key part of the post-war international order,' a statement that reflects China's longstanding position on the self-governing island. A White House official confirmed the call took place but did not disclose any specifics.
The conversation followed comments from Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi that Japan might engage militarily if China escalates actions against Taiwan, which remains a state of concern for the U.S.
In response to these developments, Beijing condemned Takaichi’s remarks, indicating that tensions between China and Japan have reached a new low. During the call, Xi appealed for the U.S. and China to collaboratively uphold the outcomes of World War II, a reference to their shared history against fascism.
Amidst issues surrounding Taiwan, Trump has continued a policy of strategic ambiguity regarding potential U.S. military involvement in a conflict in the Taiwan Strait, although encouraging Taiwan to bolster its defense budget. Earlier in the month, Taiwan's foreign ministry announced that Trump’s administration had authorized a $330 million arms deal, which China denounced as a violation of the one-China principle.
The two leaders also touched on trade, but specific agreements on critical topics such as American soybean sales were not disclosed. Xi described the current bilateral relationship as generally maintaining a steady and positive trajectory since the Busan summit, suggesting a mutual intention to further enhance diplomatic relations. Discussion of the Ukraine crisis was also on the agenda, with Xi indicating that a resolution should address the underlying issues.
The conversation followed comments from Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi that Japan might engage militarily if China escalates actions against Taiwan, which remains a state of concern for the U.S.
In response to these developments, Beijing condemned Takaichi’s remarks, indicating that tensions between China and Japan have reached a new low. During the call, Xi appealed for the U.S. and China to collaboratively uphold the outcomes of World War II, a reference to their shared history against fascism.
Amidst issues surrounding Taiwan, Trump has continued a policy of strategic ambiguity regarding potential U.S. military involvement in a conflict in the Taiwan Strait, although encouraging Taiwan to bolster its defense budget. Earlier in the month, Taiwan's foreign ministry announced that Trump’s administration had authorized a $330 million arms deal, which China denounced as a violation of the one-China principle.
The two leaders also touched on trade, but specific agreements on critical topics such as American soybean sales were not disclosed. Xi described the current bilateral relationship as generally maintaining a steady and positive trajectory since the Busan summit, suggesting a mutual intention to further enhance diplomatic relations. Discussion of the Ukraine crisis was also on the agenda, with Xi indicating that a resolution should address the underlying issues.
