Xi Warns Trump Over Taiwan as U.S. and China Seek Stability in High-Stakes Summit

The U.S. has long maintained a policy of strategic ambiguity regarding Taiwan, continuing arms sales while avoiding explicit commitments to its defense. In December 2025, the State Department approved a record $11 billion arms package for Taiwan, though delivery remains pending. Xi urged caution, stating, "If it is handled properly, the bilateral relationship will enjoy overall stability."

Reactions from Taipei

Taiwan's government closely monitored the summit, with cabinet spokesperson Michelle Lee expressing gratitude for U.S. support. "Taipei's government is grateful for the firm U.S. support of the island," Lee said, adding that Washington "has also repeatedly reiterated its firm and clear position of support for Taiwan."

The island remains a flashpoint, with China viewing it as a breakaway province and the U.S. balancing strategic interests with its unofficial ties. Xi's stark warning underscored the high stakes: "Otherwise, the two countries will have clashes and even conflicts, putting the entire relationship in great jeopardy."

Trade and Global Issues

Beyond Taiwan, Trump and Xi discussed Middle East tensions, including the war in Ukraine and U.S.-Iran relations. The White House confirmed both leaders agreed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global gas shipments, "must remain open." Ali Wine, a senior researcher at the International Crisis Group, noted, "Both the United States and China want to see de-escalation of the conflict or the fallout of the U.S. war against Iran."

Trade also featured prominently, with Xi assuring U.S. business leaders, including SpaceX's Elon Musk and Apple's Tim Cook, that "the door to China for U.S. business would only get wider." Trump echoed the sentiment, stating, "The relationship between China and the USA is going to be better than ever before."

Building on Past Progress

The meeting marked their first face-to-face talks since October 2025, when they met on the sidelines of an APEC summit in South Korea to end a prolonged trade war. Analysts viewed the latest summit as an effort to consolidate gains rather than forge new policies. "The top goal really is to maintain the relative stability that they were able to achieve in South Korea last year," said William Yang of the International Crisis Group.

Jessica Chen Weiss, a China studies professor at Johns Hopkins University, noted Beijing's preference for stability: "The Chinese leadership prefers a stable and productive relationship with the United States so that it can continue to focus on their domestic modernization [and] many of the economic challenges that they face at home."

Symbolism and Next Steps

The leaders' meeting in the Great Hall of the People was followed by a symbolic visit to Beijing's Temple of Heaven, a site historically linked to Chinese emperors praying for prosperity. While major policy shifts were unlikely, the summit aimed to reinforce trust. "Cooperation benefits both sides, while confrontation harms both," Yang emphasized.

With Taiwan tensions unresolved and global crises looming, the summit highlighted both cooperation and competition between the world's two largest economies.