Xi Jinping Presses Taiwan Issue with Trump Amidst Trade Truce & Ukraine Talks: US-China Relations on Critical Path

Xi Jinping Presses Taiwan Issue with Trump Amidst Trade Truce & Ukraine Talks

Chinese President Xi Jinping recently engaged in a significant phone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump, using the opportunity to underscore China's critical stance on Taiwan. This discussion also served to build upon the delicate trade truce established between the global superpowers and touched upon the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Taiwan: A Geopolitical Flashpoint

Taiwan, a self-governing island that Beijing considers its integral territory, emerged as a prominent topic. According to China's foreign ministry, President Xi articulated that Taiwan's reunification is a fundamental component of the post-WWII international order, forged through joint U.S.-China efforts against "fascism and militarism." Xi emphasized the importance of collectively safeguarding the victory of WWII in the current geopolitical climate. This push comes amidst a protracted diplomatic disagreement between Beijing and key U.S. ally Japan, triggered by recent remarks from Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who suggested potential military intervention should Taiwan face an attack. While the U.S. does not officially recognize Taiwan's statehood, it remains the island's most vital partner and primary arms supplier. Curiously, in his social media post following the call, Trump lauded "extremely strong" U.S.-China relations but omitted any mention of the contentious Taiwan issue. However, China's foreign ministry reported that Trump acknowledged the profound importance of the Taiwan question to Beijing during their discussion.

Sustaining Trade Momentum

The leaders' phone call followed their first direct meeting since 2019 in late October, where they engaged in closely observed trade negotiations in South Korea. The protracted trade friction between Washington and Beijing, impacting sectors from rare earths to agricultural products and port fees, had destabilized global markets and supply chains for months. The provisional agreement reached in October included Beijing's commitment to a one-year suspension of certain export restrictions on crucial minerals, where China holds significant dominance in mining and processing for industries like automotive, electronics, and defense. In return, the U.S. pledged to reduce tariffs on Chinese goods, and China committed to purchasing substantial quantities of American soybeans – at least 12 million metric tons by year-end and 25 million metric tons in 2026. Xi urged Trump to "keep up the momentum," noting that the "successful" South Korea meeting had effectively "recalibrated the course of the giant ship of China-U.S. relations," injecting fresh impetus for steady progress. Both leaders expressed optimism regarding the positive trajectory of their nations' ties since the October summit. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had previously indicated hopes of finalizing a rare earths supply deal with Beijing by Thanksgiving.

Addressing the Ukraine Conflict

The discussion also covered the war in Ukraine, a priority for President Trump, who is advocating for a resolution that critics suggest might overly favor Russian demands at Kyiv's expense. China has maintained a position of neutrality, and Xi reiterated his support for ending the nearly four-year conflict. According to China's foreign ministry, Xi stressed Beijing's backing for "all efforts that are conducive to peace," expressing hope that parties would reconcile differences, swiftly achieve a fair, lasting, and binding peace agreement, and address the crisis fundamentally.

Future Engagements

Looking ahead, Trump's statement confirmed an upcoming visit to China in April, with Xi scheduled to visit Washington later in 2026, signaling continued high-level engagement between the two nations.