Chinese President Xi Jinping warned President Donald Trump that how Taiwan is handled could affect the relationship between the U.S. and China.
“Safeguarding peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is the biggest common denominator between China and the U.S.,” Xi told Trump, ministry spokesperson Mao Ning posted on X.
Mao added Xi “stressed” to Trump that the “Taiwan question” is the “most important issue” in relations between the two countries. He warned Trump if it is not handled properly “the entire relationship” could be put “in jeopardy.”
“‘Taiwan independence’ and cross-Strait peace are as irreconcilable as fire and water. Safeguarding peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is the biggest common denominator between China and the U.S.,” the spokesperson wrote.
The White House’s readout of the meeting did not mention Taiwan, The Hillreported.
Trump answer questions from reporters on Taiwan when he arrived at the meeting.
Going into the summit, Xi is widely expected to use trade talks as a source of leverage to shift Washington’s position on Taipei.
China has viewed the island as its own, while the U.S. has not recognized Beijing’s claim. Washington has not recognized Taiwan’s independence, either.
Trump is facing pressure from both Republicans and Democrats to tell Xi Washington’s support for Taiwan is nonnegotiable.
A group of eight Republican and Democratic senators called on Trump to make clear to Xi that Washington’s support for Taipei is “inviolable.
They urged Trump to move ahead with a $14 billion U.S. arms sale to Taiwan.
