Xi Urges Trump to Exercise Caution on Taiwan Arms Sales

President Xi Jinping of China has cautioned U.S. President Donald Trump to be careful when it comes to supplying weapons to Taiwan. He labeled the self- governing island as "China's territory" and identified it as a critical issue in relations between China and the United States.

In a recent interview with state media following a phone conversation with Trump, Xi remarked, "The United States must manage the matter of arms sales to Taiwan with care."

He added, "While the United States has its own concerns, China likewise possesses its own worries. If both parties strive for equality, respect, and mutual benefit, we can surely find methods to address each other's concerns."

Trump characterized the call as "excellent" and described it as being both long and thorough, mentioning that he looks forward to a trip to China in April. He also brought up Beijing's potential plan to increase soybean imports from the U.S. from 12 million to 20 million tons.

The point of discussion also included Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the situation in Iran, and China's energy purchases from the U.S. Xi emphasized that it is crucial for Beijing to protect Taiwan's sovereignty and territorial integrity, while also highlighting the necessity of resolving differences in order to sustain stable bilateral relations.

China has consistently stated its intention to "reunify" with Taiwan, even hinting at the possibility of using force if deemed necessary. Meanwhile, the U.S. continues to supply Taiwan with sophisticated military equipment, having approved an $11 billion arms deal for the island in December, which drew significant backlash from Beijing.

Xi's conversation with Trump comes at a time when various Western leaders, including U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, are seeking to strengthen ties with China. This call occurred shortly after Xi's virtual meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, showcasing the increasing closeness between China and Russia.