BEIJING / WASHINGTON — Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged U.S. President Donald Trump to exercise “prudence” when considering further arms sales to Taiwan, underscoring Beijing’s longstanding red-line on the issue and emphasising the centrality of the Taiwan question in China–U.S. relations. The call, the first between the two leaders since November, highlighted growing geopolitical tensions amid a broader push to stabilise bilateral ties.
Tense Phone Diplomacy Over Taiwan
In a call on 5 February, Xi told Trump that the Taiwan issue is “the most important” and most sensitive matter between the United States and China, according to an official readout released by Chinese state media. He urged the U.S. to be careful and “prudent” in how it approaches the sale of advanced weaponry to Taipei — a clear reference to Washington’s recent proposed arms package to the self-governed island.
Xi reiterated China’s insistence that Taiwan is part of Chinese territory and said Beijing would “never allow Taiwan to be separated” from the mainland. The comments reflect Beijing’s long-running opposition to foreign military support for Taiwan and its view that such sales threaten regional stability.
Background: Arms Sales and Rising Regional Friction
The warning came as the U.S. administration was considering approving a significant arms sales package to Taiwan — reportedly valued at more than US$11 billion — that includes missiles, artillery systems, drones and other defence equipment. That proposal had already drawn a sharp reaction from Beijing, including large-scale Chinese military drills around Taiwan in late December.
Although the U.S. does not formally recognise Taiwan as a sovereign state, it remains the island’s strongest unofficial ally and primary military supplier under the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, which obliges Washington to help Taipei maintain a sufficient self-defence capability. Chinese leaders view these provision of arms as a threat to their goal of eventual reunification.
Trump Describes Call as Constructive
Despite Xi’s firm language, Trump portrayed the conversation in more conciliatory terms. Posting on his social media platform, he described the call as “excellent” and “thorough”, noting that discussions touched on a range of global issues beyond Taiwan, including Russia’s war in Ukraine, developments in Iran and opportunities for increased U.S.–China trade — such as China’s potential purchase of 20 million tonnes of U.S. soybeans.
Trump also spoke of an upcoming state visit to China in April, which would be his first since returning to the presidency, and indicated that both sides were eager to maintain open lines of communication despite strategic differences.
Taiwan’s Leadership Stresses Strong U.S. Ties
Hours after the Trump–Xi call, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te reaffirmed Taipei’s “rock solid” relationship with the United States, insisting that cooperation across defence and other domains would continue uninterrupted. Lai’s comments signal Taipei’s confidence in longstanding informal ties with Washington even amid diplomatic pressure from Beijing.
Geopolitical Implications and Regional Security
The Taiwan Strait remains a focal point of Asia-Pacific security concerns, where U.S. support for Taiwan intersects with China’s assertive regional posture. Beijing has repeatedly stressed its commitment to reunifying Taiwan with the mainland — by force if necessary — while Washington maintains a policy of “strategic ambiguity” that aims to deter unilateral changes to the status quo.
Analysts say Xi’s insistence on caution reflects China’s sensitivity to what it perceives as external interference in its internal affairs, particularly on issues tied to sovereignty and territorial integrity. The timing of the call also comes as both powers navigate a complex backdrop of trade negotiations, military rivalries and broader diplomatic efforts.
Outlook: Balancing Diplomacy and Military Support
As the U.S. Congress reviews the proposed arms sales, lawmakers in both parties have shown support for bolstering Taiwan’s defenses, even amid Beijing’s objections. The Trump administration’s diplomatic outreach — coupled with Xi’s firm stance — illustrates the delicate balancing act between appeasing allied partners and managing strategic competition with China.
Maintaining stability in the Taiwan Strait will require careful diplomacy, especially as regional allies such as Japan and Australia monitor developments closely. How Washington and Beijing navigate these tensions in the weeks ahead could have enduring implications for security and economic cooperation across the wider Indo-Pacific.
