The phone call between Xi Jinping and Donald Trump underscored how sharply Taiwan continues to dominate the relationship between Beijing and Washington. Xi framed the island as the core issue in bilateral ties, insisting that China would never tolerate separation and warning the United States to exercise extreme caution over arms sales. His message reinforced Beijing’s long-standing position that Taiwan remains Chinese territory and that force remains an option if reunification efforts fail.
Trump struck a more conciliatory tone, he acknowledged China’s sensitivities and wanted to keep channels of communication open to preserve stability in the relationship. At the same time, he highlighted a broader agenda, pointing to discussions on the war in Ukraine alongside Taiwan. The exchange illustrated a familiar dynamic. China pressing its red lines on sovereignty, the United States balancing reassurance with its commitment to Taiwan’s defense. Both leaders emphasize dialogue even as fundamental disagreements remain unresolved.
Reference
Razdan, K.. (2026, February 5). Xi tells Trump Taiwan is ‘most important’ issue in China-US ties in phone call. South China Morning Post. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3342409/hours-after-call-vladimir-putin-xi-jinping-talks-donald-trump?utm_medium=email&utm_source=cm&utm_campaign=enlz-breaking_news&utm_content=20260204&tpcc=enlz-breaking_news&UUID=6be68c5f-f8d5-47bb-9ca6-88146b6e0461&tc=2&CMCampaignID=5114edba54e880430ac8fa9e239df1e4