XI URGES CAUTION ON TAIWAN ARMS IN CALL WITH TRUMP AS LEADERS SEEK STABLE RELATIONS
WASHINGTON/BEIJING: China’s President Xi Jinping has warned the United States to act carefully when supplying weapons to Taiwan, describing the island as the most sensitive issue in relations between Beijing and Washington.
According to Chinese state media, Xi raised the matter during a lengthy phone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump, stressing that Taiwan is part of China’s territory and that Beijing must protect its sovereignty. He said the U.S. should handle arms sales to the self-governed island with “prudence” to avoid escalating tensions.
Trump later characterized the discussion as “excellent” and wide-ranging. In a post on his Truth Social platform, he said the two leaders also spoke about Russia’s war in Ukraine, Iran and energy trade between the two countries. Trump added that China was considering increasing its purchases of U.S. soybeans to about 20 million tonnes, up from roughly 12 million tonnes.
The call comes amid renewed diplomatic engagement between China and Western nations, including recent visits by leaders such as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Trump is also expected to travel to China in April, a trip he said he was eagerly anticipating.
Beijing has repeatedly vowed to reunify with Taiwan and has not ruled out the use of force. While the U.S. formally recognizes China rather than Taiwan, it remains Taipei’s strongest international supporter and largest arms supplier. In December, Washington approved an arms deal to Taiwan worth around $11 billion, prompting sharp criticism from Beijing.
Xi told Trump that while both countries have their own concerns, cooperation based on respect and mutual benefit could help resolve differences.
Meanwhile, Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te said on Thursday that ties with the United States remain strong and that ongoing cooperation projects are continuing without disruption.