Xi Warns US Over Arms Supplies to Taiwan in Call With Trump

Chinese President Xi Jinping has warned the United States to exercise restraint and caution in supplying weapons to Taiwan during a phone conversation with US President Donald Trump, amid renewed tensions over the sensitive issue, according to a report by the BBC.
During the call on Wednesday, Xi said China places great importance on its relationship with Washington and hopes both sides can manage differences through dialogue. However, he stressed that Taiwan remains an inseparable part of Chinese territory and that safeguarding China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity is a fundamental responsibility of Beijing.
Xi urged the United States to “seriously and prudently” consider the issue of arms sales to Taiwan, warning that such moves could further escalate tensions in the Taiwan Strait.
President Trump described the phone call as “great, long and detailed,” saying the two leaders discussed not only Taiwan but also the war in Ukraine, the situation in Iran, and China’s purchases of US oil and gas.
The conversation took place amid broader diplomatic efforts by Western leaders to rebuild ties with Beijing. In recent months, several leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, have visited China as part of engagement initiatives.
In a recent post on Truth Social, Trump said he was looking forward to visiting China in April and noted that Beijing is considering increasing its soybean imports from the United States from 12 million tonnes to 20 million tonnes. He also emphasized that he maintains a very good personal relationship with President Xi.
China has long claimed Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to achieve reunification. While the United States maintains formal diplomatic relations with China, it remains Taiwan’s largest arms supplier. Beijing has strongly criticized the Trump administration’s recent approval of an $11 billion arms sale to Taiwan, calling it a move that heightens tensions in the region.