BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping raised the issue of Taiwan during a phone call on Monday with US President Donald Trump, emphasizing the need to build on a fragile trade truce between the two superpowers. While other topics, including Ukraine, were discussed, Taiwan featured prominently amid rising tensions between Beijing and key US ally Japan.
Read More: Japan-PM calls Trump ‘extremely good friend’ after China row
China claims Taiwan as part of its territory. Xi described the island’s “return” as an integral part of the post-war international order, referencing the joint US-China fight against fascism and militarism in World War II. Taiwan Premier Cho Jung-tai rejected the claim, asserting that Taiwan is a “fully sovereign state” and “there is no such option as return.”
Xi requested a call to Trump after Japan said that the invasion of Taiwan will be considered a threat to its security warranting intervention.
China released s statement talking about Taiwan. Trump tweeted his thoughts and no mention of Taiwan. pic.twitter.com/a0fKq5Yhex
— Yusuf Unjhawala (@YusufDFI) November 25, 2025
The dispute with Japan escalated after new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested Tokyo could intervene militarily if Taiwan were attacked. While the US does not officially recognize Taiwan’s statehood, Washington remains the island’s most important partner and arms supplier. Trump acknowledged Taiwan’s significance to China but focused on trade, praising “extremely strong” US-China relations and confirming upcoming visits: he will go to China in April, and Xi will visit Washington in 2026.
Breaking! During the phone call with President Trump tonight, President Xi said that the return of Taiwan to China is an important part of the post-war international order.
China and America have been fighting militarism and fascism side by side. At present, it is even more… pic.twitter.com/C2k9EUy1H8
— Li Zexin 李泽欣 (@XH_Lee23) November 24, 2025
The call followed late October trade talks in South Korea, where Beijing agreed to suspend certain export restrictions on rare earth minerals, while the US pledged to cut tariffs and China committed to buying at least 12 million tonnes of US soybeans this year and 25 million tonnes in 2026. Xi urged Trump to “keep up the momentum” and described the October meeting as recalibrating the course of bilateral relations.
Read More: Hawaii hosts US–China naval security discussions
Trump and Xi struck an optimistic tone, highlighting a steady and positive trajectory in US-China ties. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent noted Washington hopes to finalize a deal securing rare earth supplies by Thanksgiving, signaling that economic cooperation continues even amid geopolitical disagreements.