Chinese President Xi Jinping warned U.S. President Donald Trump that a standoff over Taiwan could push bilateral relations into “a very dangerous situation.” The comment was made during their meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing – the first visit by a U.S. president to China in nearly a decade.
Xi told Trump that the Taiwan question is the most important issue in China‑U.S. relations. He said that if the matter is handled prudently, the overall relationship can remain stable, but a misstep could lead to clash or conflict, endangering the entire strategic partnership. He added that Taiwan’s “independence” and cross‑strait peace are “as irreconcilable as fire and water.”
The leaders also touched on the broader strategic context, debating whether the two powers can avoid the so‑called “Thucydides Trap,” a theory that a rising power’s challenge to an established one often leads to war. Xi suggested that both sides should work toward a “new paradigm of major‑country relations” to prevent such a scenario.
Taiwan’s government monitored the summit closely. Cabinet spokesperson Michelle Lee said that “China’s military threat is the sole source of insecurity in the Taiwan Strait and the broader Indo‑Pacific region.” Washington continues to acknowledge the One‑China policy while maintaining substantive ties with Taipei, including long‑standing arms sales. The Trump administration approved an $11 billion weapons package for Taiwan in December and had reportedly paused a larger $13 billion deal ahead of the summit.
The meeting is expected to address several other thorny issues, including the war in Ukraine, trade disputes, and competition in artificial intelligence. Both sides appear aware that tensions over Taiwan could spill over into wider economic and security domains.
The remarks underscore the fragility of the U.S.–China relationship and the potential for Taiwan to become a flashpoint. Observers say the outcome of the summit will influence not only bilateral ties but also regional stability across the Indo‑Pacific. Further developments are likely to emerge as both leaders continue their talks in the coming days.
