Trump-Xi Phone Call: Taiwan Takes Center Stage in US-China Relations

In a significant diplomatic development, Chinese President Xi Jinping pressed US President Donald Trump on the Taiwan issue during their November 24, 2025 phone call, marking a crucial moment in US-China relations as both nations navigate a fragile trade truce. The hour-long conversation, which was initiated by Xi himself—an unusual diplomatic move—covered multiple contentious issues including Taiwan's status, trade agreements, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

The Taiwan Question: Xi's Strategic Push

Chinese President Xi Jinping made Taiwan the centerpiece of his discussion with Trump, emphasizing that "Taiwan's return to China is an integral part of the postwar international order." According to official Chinese media reports, Xi invoked historical World War II cooperation between the United States and China, arguing that both nations "fought side by side against fascism and militarism" and that this historical partnership should influence current Taiwan policy.

This diplomatic offensive comes at a particularly tense moment. China is currently locked in its biggest diplomatic crisis in years with US ally Japan, after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested earlier this month that Tokyo could intervene militarily if China attempted to blockade or invade Taiwan—the first time in recent memory a Japanese leader has made such a statement.

Trump's Diplomatic Balancing Act

President Trump, characteristically, took a different tone in his public statements about the call. In a Truth Social post, Trump described it as a "very good telephone call" and emphasized economic issues, making no mention of Taiwan at all. He focused instead on Ukraine, fentanyl precursor chemicals, and Chinese purchases of American soybeans.

Trump announced that he accepted Xi's invitation to visit Beijing in April 2026, and reciprocated by inviting Xi for a state visit to the United States later in the year. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the call lasted approximately one hour and focused mainly on the trade deal currently being negotiated between the two nations.

The Strategic Context: Why Taiwan Matters Now

The timing of Xi's Taiwan push is strategic. Following his call with Trump, the US president immediately contacted Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi to discuss their conversation about China. According to Takaichi, they held a "wide-ranging exchange of views on strengthening the Japan-US alliance and the challenges and issues facing the Indo-Pacific region."

Craig Singleton, a senior director for China at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, explained Beijing's concerns: "Beijing is rattled by the Japan flare-up because it sees a regional coalition coalescing around the idea that Taiwan's security is a shared stake—and that any Chinese quarantine or attack would draw a coordinated response. By pressing Trump directly, Xi is trying to get Washington to reinforce Beijing's preferred narrative before that coalition hardens."

Trade Truce Remains Fragile

The phone call builds on the fragile trade truce established when Trump and Xi met in South Korea on October 30, 2025. That summit resulted in a yearlong agreement that rolled back many of the tariffs Trump had imposed on China, with Beijing agreeing to reciprocal measures.

However, implementation has been uneven. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins revealed on CNBC that China has purchased only about 1.5 million metric tons of soybeans since October 1—far short of the 12 million metric tons the Trump administration claims China pledged to buy by year's end. Rollins clarified that the agreement requires orders to be placed by the end of the year, not necessarily shipped.

Taiwan's Response: Clear and Firm

Taiwan's government wasted no time responding to Xi's claims. Premier Cho Jung-tai emphasized on November 25 that a "return" to China is not an option for Taiwan's 23 million citizens. "We must once again emphasise that the Republic of China, Taiwan, is a fully sovereign and independent country," Cho told reporters outside parliament. "For the 23 million people of our nation, 'return' is not an option - this is very clear."

The United States does not officially recognize Taiwan's claim to statehood but remains the island's most important partner and primary arms supplier. Washington recently approved a $330 million arms sale to Taiwan, just weeks after the Trump-Xi summit in South Korea.

Multiple Issues on the Table

Beyond Taiwan, the call addressed several other pressing bilateral issues. Xi reiterated China's support for efforts to end the Ukraine war, positioning Beijing as a potential mediator—though China has maintained close ties with Russia throughout the conflict. Xi told Trump that "the facts again show that cooperation benefits both sides while confrontation hurts both."

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has indicated he hopes to finalize a deal securing supplies of rare earth minerals from China by Thanksgiving. China dominates the mining and processing of these critical materials, which are essential for sophisticated electronics across automotive, defense, and consumer electronics industries. Beijing had clamped down on rare earth exports during the height of trade tensions, causing significant anxiety in American manufacturing sectors.

Technology Export Tensions

The Trump administration is also grappling with internal debates about selling advanced artificial intelligence technology to China. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick revealed that the decision on whether to license sales of Nvidia's H200 chip—a more advanced AI processor—is currently "on [Trump's] desk."

Tech executives favor selling more advanced products to China to prevent Chinese companies from developing competing alternatives, while national security officials view any assistance to China's AI industry as a potential threat. "He is going to weigh those decisions," Lutnick said of Trump. "He understands President Xi the best. He will decide whether we go forward with that or not."

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Xi Jinping initiate the phone call?

Xi initiated the call—an unusual diplomatic move—to press Trump on Taiwan policy amid rising tensions with Japan over the island. China is concerned about a potential regional coalition forming around Taiwan's security.

What is China's position on Taiwan?

China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has vowed to annex it, by force if necessary. Beijing views Taiwan's "return" as an integral part of the postwar international order established after World War II.

Why did Trump not mention Taiwan in his public statement?

Trump focused his public comments on economic issues—trade, soybeans, and fentanyl—rather than Taiwan. This reflects his tendency to emphasize transactional economic relationships over security commitments in public messaging.

What is the current status of US-China trade relations?

The two countries agreed to a yearlong trade truce in October 2025, rolling back tariffs. However, implementation has been uneven, with China's soybean purchases falling well short of commitments, and negotiations on rare earth minerals still ongoing.

When will Trump visit China?

Trump accepted Xi's invitation to visit Beijing in April 2026. Trump also invited Xi for a state visit to the United States later in 2026, though China has not publicly confirmed these arrangements.

Looking Ahead: A Delicate Diplomatic Dance

The phone call illustrates the complex, multi-layered nature of US-China relations under the Trump administration. While both leaders emphasize the positive trajectory of bilateral ties and the importance of their personal relationship, fundamental disagreements on Taiwan, technology transfer, and regional security remain unresolved.

Wendy Cutler, a senior vice president at the Asia Society Policy Institute and former senior US trade official, summarized the divergent priorities: "While Beijing emphasized the discussion on Taiwan and Ukraine in today's leaders' call, Trump to no surprise focused on economic and trade issues."

As the April 2026 Beijing summit approaches, the question remains whether Trump and Xi can transform their "extremely strong" relationship—as Trump described it—into concrete progress on the most contentious issues dividing the world's two largest economies. Taiwan's future, regional security architecture, and the global economic order all hang in the balance.