Xi hard message wrapped in warm words for Trump, Taiwan flashpoint, tariff shadow
By Anjali Sharma
WASHINGTON – Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday warned that Taiwan could push China and the US towards conflict as he held high-level talks with President Donald Trump in Beijing.
Trump and Xi held bilateral talks publicly called for stronger ties despite deep divisions over trade, Taiwan, technology and regional security.
He said as the talks opened at the Great Hall of the People “It’s an honour to be with you, it’s an honour to be your friend, and the relationship between China and the USA is going to be better than ever before”.
The meeting is being closely watched across the globe at a time of growing strategic rivalry between Washington and Beijing.
Both sides projected diplomatic warmth at the start of the summit, the talks carry major geopolitical significance amid tensions over tariffs, global supply chains, Taiwan, the Indo-Pacific and competing spheres of influence.
Xi, in his opening remarks, stressed that cooperation between the world’s two largest economies was essential at a time of global instability, while also issuing a pointed warning over Taiwan.
According to China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency, Xi said the Taiwan issue remained the most important and sensitive issue in China-US relations and warned that mishandling it could push both countries towards “clashes and even conflicts”.
“If it is handled properly, the bilateral relationship will enjoy overall stability. Otherwise, the two countries will have clashes and even conflicts, putting the entire relationship in great jeopardy,” Xi said.
Xi added that safeguarding peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait was the “biggest common denominator” between Beijing and Washington.
“The whole world is watching our meeting. Currently, a transformation not seen in a century is accelerating across the globe, and the international situation is fluid and turbulent. The world has come to a new crossroads,” Xi said.
He added that China and the United States “should be partners, not rivals” and called for cooperation over confrontation.
“We should help each other succeed and prosper together and find the right way for major countries to get along well with each other in the new era,” Xi said.
Xi questioned whether Washington and Beijing could overcome what he described as the “Thucydides trap”, a phrase used to describe the dangers of conflict between an established global power and a rising challenger.
“Can China and the United States overcome the Thucydides trap and create a new paradigm of major country relations? Can we meet global challenges together and provide more stability for the world?” Xi asked.
The term was popularised by Harvard scholar Graham Allison and is often used in discussions around strategic competition between major powers.
Xinhua also quoted Xi as saying that “Taiwan independence” and peace across the Taiwan Strait were “as irreconcilable as fire and water”.
Xi said both countries “stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation”, while expressing hope that 2026 would become “a historic landmark year” in bilateral ties.
“I always believe that our two countries have more common interests than differences. Success in one is an opportunity for the other. And a stable bilateral relationship is good for the world,” Xi said.
The Chinese President welcomed Trump back to China after nine years and congratulated the United States ahead of the 250th anniversary of American Independence.
“I am very pleased to meet you in Beijing. Welcome back to China after nine years,” Xi said.
“This year is the 250th anniversary of American Independence. Congratulations to you and to the American people,” he added.
Xi also said he hoped both countries could work together to “open up a new chapter” in bilateral relations.
Trump’s visit marks his first state trip to China since 2017 and comes months after the two leaders last met in person during talks in Busan in October last year.
Trump was formally welcomed by Xi and accorded a guard of honour by the People’s Liberation Army Honour Guard Battalion.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth were among the senior American officials present during the meeting.
Trump also met members of Xi’s cabinet after the ceremonial reception.
A state banquet in Trump’s honour is scheduled later in the evening.
Trump arrived in China on Wednesday on a two-day visit and was received by Chinese Vice President Han Zheng. US Ambassador to China David Perdue was also present during the arrival ceremony.
China publicly reiterated what it called the “four red lines” in relations with the United States, underlined the sensitive backdrop to the summit despite the cordial public messaging.
Chinese Embassy in the United States in a post on X said “The four red lines in China-US relations must not be challenged.”
The issues listed by Beijing included Taiwan, democracy and human rights, political systems and China’s development rights.
The statement reflected the broader strains surrounding the relationship even as both countries seek to prevent deterioration in ties.
