A recent teleconference between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping saw discussions on pivotal issues including the Ukraine conflict, bilateral trade, and the contentious status of Taiwan. Following the call, Trump characterized the US-China relationship as “extremely strong.”
Trump took to Truth Social to announce a “good, and very important, deal for our Great Farmers,” hinting at positive trade outcomes. He reiterated his belief in the robust nature of the partnership between the two global powers.
From Beijing’s perspective, Xi Jinping conveyed to Trump that Taiwan’s reunification with mainland China is an essential component of the global post-war order. This assertion follows recent concerns raised by Japan’s potential involvement in a Taiwan contingency, a move that has strained China-Japan relations after Beijing’s strong disapproval of Japanese officials’ statements.
Xi also reportedly called for joint efforts between China and the US to preserve the outcomes of World War II, referencing their wartime alliance. The US, while not taking a definitive stance on Taiwan’s sovereignty, opposes any forceful change to its status and is mandated to provide Taiwan with defensive arms. Trump’s administration has previously encouraged Taiwan to bolster its defense budget, including approving a substantial arms sale that China condemned as a breach of its one-China policy.
Details regarding trade discussions, including potential agricultural purchases, remain undisclosed. However, Chinese reports suggest Xi viewed the bilateral relationship as progressing positively since their last summit and expressed a desire for continued advancement. The leaders also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis, with Xi emphasizing the need to resolve the conflict at its fundamental causes.