Beijing and Washington are navigating a complex period of engagement ahead of a planned meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in April, seeking areas of potential cooperation while simultaneously addressing fundamental disagreements, particularly concerning Taiwan.
The dynamic was underscored by a phone call between the two leaders on , in which President Xi pressed President Trump on the issue of Taiwan, according to readouts from both governments. China’s state media reported that Xi Jinping characterized Taiwan as “the most important issue” in bilateral relations, urging the U.S. To exercise “prudence” in its arms sales to the self-governed island.
The Chinese position, consistently maintained, views Taiwan as an inalienable part of its territory, and has not ruled out the use of force to achieve reunification. Xi reportedly warned that the U.S. Must “handle the issue of arms sales to Taiwan with prudence,” and safeguard China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. This message appears to be a clear signal of Beijing’s red lines, particularly in light of a substantial U.S. Arms package approved in , valued at up to $11.15 billion, intended to bolster Taiwan’s defenses.
President Trump, for his part, described the call as “long and thorough” and “excellent,” highlighting discussions on trade, Iran, Russia’s war in Ukraine, and China’s energy purchases. He also announced an agreement for China to increase its purchase of American soybeans to 20 million tonnes for the current season, rising to 25 million tonnes for the next, a move welcomed by U.S. Agricultural interests.
However, the differing emphasis in the official statements from both sides highlights the underlying tensions. While the U.S. Readout focused on commercial ties and broader geopolitical issues, Beijing prioritized Taiwan, signaling its determination to prevent any perceived erosion of its claims over the island. Analysts suggest this disparity reflects China’s attempt to remind Washington of its core interests while simultaneously seeking to avoid actions that could jeopardize the upcoming April visit.
“Beijing appeared to be reminding Washington ‘where the red lines are’ with Taiwan,” said David Meale, practice head for China at Eurasia Group. “At the same time, they are seeking to avoid any action that could jeopardize Trump’s plans to visit China in April.”
The U.S. Maintains a policy of “strategic ambiguity” regarding Taiwan, neither confirming nor denying whether it would intervene militarily in the event of a Chinese attack. This ambiguity is intended to deter Beijing while also discouraging Taiwan from unilaterally declaring independence. However, the recent increase in U.S. Arms sales and high-level official visits to Taiwan have raised concerns in Beijing that Washington is moving closer to a more explicit commitment to defend the island.
Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te responded to the call between Xi and Trump by stating that ties with the U.S. Are “rock solid,” and that all cooperation projects would continue uninterrupted. This assertion underscores Taiwan’s reliance on U.S. Support and its determination to maintain its de facto independence, despite China’s claims.
The call between Xi and Trump follows a series of diplomatic engagements between China and Western nations in recent months, including visits by the UK’s Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, signaling a broader effort to reset relations with the world’s second-largest economy. The upcoming April visit by President Trump to Beijing is seen as a crucial opportunity to clarify the direction of the U.S.-China relationship and address areas of both cooperation and competition.
Beyond Taiwan, the two leaders also discussed Iran, Russia’s war in Ukraine, and China’s purchases of U.S. Oil and gas. These issues represent potential areas for cooperation, but also reflect significant differences in perspective. Notably, neither side publicly mentioned rare earth minerals or Venezuela in their readouts of the call, suggesting these topics may have been avoided or discussed privately.
The inconsistency of Washington’s China policy has been noted by observers. The large arms sale to Taiwan contrasts with recent signals of a more conciliatory approach on trade and technology. “It’s very hard to read a consistent direction in the US approach to China,” said Richard Haass, adding that the April meeting is vital for achieving clarity. “That remains a big question,” he said, referring to the extent to which the U.S. Is prepared to defend Taiwan.
The outcome of the April meeting between Trump and Xi will be closely watched by governments around the world, as the U.S.-China relationship has far-reaching implications for global security, trade, and stability. The ability of the two leaders to find common ground on key issues, particularly Taiwan, will be critical in shaping the future of this complex and consequential relationship.
