China’s President Xi Jinping warned U.S. President Donald Trump that tensions over Taiwan could lead to conflict if the issue is mishandled, highlighting deep divisions between the two powers during talks in Beijing.

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The warning came during a highly anticipated summit between the leaders, where disagreements also emerged over the war in Iran, trade disputes and Washington’s relationship with Taiwan, the self-governed island claimed by China.

While the two sides struck a cordial tone publicly, the exchange underscored the continuing strain in relations between the world’s two largest economies.

Taiwan at the centre of tensions

According to comments shared by Chinese officials after the meeting, Xi told Trump that the Taiwan issue remained the most important matter in relations between the two countries.

The remarks were delivered during closed-door talks that followed a public greeting at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People.

Before the meeting, Trump praised his Chinese counterpart, telling Xi he was a “great leader” and saying it was an honour to call him a friend. The U.S. president also said he expected ties between the two countries to improve.

Xi’s own public remarks struck a more cautious tone. He said China and the United States must determine whether they could avoid falling into what scholars call the Thucydides Trap — the idea that war can occur when a rising power threatens to displace an established one.

The Chinese leader has invoked the concept before, but its use during the summit underscored Beijing’s concern over tensions surrounding Taiwan.

Later, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said American policy toward Taiwan had not changed. He also warned that it would be a “terrible mistake” if China attempted to take the island by force.

Ceremony and diplomacy

The leaders met for around two hours behind closed doors following an elaborate welcome ceremony that included military honours, national anthems and schoolchildren waving U.S. and Chinese flags.

After the talks, Xi hosted Trump on a tour of the Temple of Heaven and later held a state banquet in his honour.

During a toast at the event, Xi said the two countries had kept relations “generally stable” despite global turbulence. He added that China’s national ambitions and Trump’s political slogan of making America great again could coexist.

Trump described the visit as an honour and said discussions had focused on matters beneficial to both countries.

He also said Xi would make a reciprocal visit to the White House on 24 September, a date that had not previously been announced.

Iran war and economic issues

Trump later said Xi had indicated he was willing to help negotiate an end to the conflict involving Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments.

The closure of the strait has disrupted tanker traffic and contributed to rising energy prices, raising concerns about global economic growth.

China is the largest buyer of Iranian oil, and U.S. officials have urged Beijing to use its influence with Tehran.

Rubio said the administration would argue that the crisis was hurting global economies and reducing demand for Chinese exports.

The White House said both leaders agreed the strait should remain open, though it did not state whether China would intervene diplomatically.

Trade talks and future cooperation

Despite political tensions, both governments said they were seeking progress on economic cooperation.

The White House said the leaders discussed expanding market access for American businesses in China and increasing Chinese investment in U.S. industries.

Trump said Xi had signalled a willingness to purchase 200 aircraft from Boeing. The administration is also hoping for commitments from China to buy more U.S. soybeans, beef and other agricultural products.

Officials have proposed creating a joint trade board to manage economic disputes between the two countries.

Meanwhile, Taiwan’s government said it remained grateful for Washington’s longstanding support after the summit, adding that the United States had repeatedly reaffirmed its backing for the island.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 15 May 2026

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1 hour ago, webfact said:

Trump later said Xi had indicated he was willing to help negotiate an end to the conflict involving Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments.

Since it is not mentioned here or the AP source, I guess the US blockade in&out of Iranian ports has nothing to do with it.

Xi is probably the only person in the rest of the world that would like to see Trump serve a third term as President!

2 hours ago, JerryM said:

Since it is not mentioned here or the AP source, I guess the US blockade in&out of Iranian ports has nothing to do with it.

Xi tried to "steamroll" Trump with a stern warning about Taiwan.

Trump responded by walking away without a deal, signaling that he’d rather use the Fifth Fleet to clear the Strait than give China an inch in the Pacific.

With Kharg Island still dark and the IRGC acting like pirates, the "business talk" is done. As Trump's plane wheels up today, the "Sledgehammer" protocol for the Strait of Hormuz is likely being moved from Plan B to Execute.

After having been humiliated at the Airport (Xi was not there) Donnie could only bend down and follow Xi like a good trained poodle.🤣

Trump folded like a pretzel and lack the courage to confront Xi to reaffirm USA long standing policy to support Taiwan against China. Needed a press conference by Marco Rublio to make the stand for Taiwan. Trump's policy towards Taiwan has been inconsistence and more malleable than that of previous administrations. I will not be shocked if he watered down the arms sales to Taiwan to appease Xi.

29 minutes ago, Smokey and the Bandit said:

the "Sledgehammer" protocol for the Strait of Hormuz is likely being moved from Plan B to Execute.

From news accounts, the biggest thing about moving from Epic Fury to Sledgehammer is to convince the Congress that Trump should get a spanking new 60 days under the War Powers Act.

Or maybe the biggest military difference between the 2 OPs would be ground troops on the scene.

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Trump said Xi had signalled a willingness to purchase 200 aircraft from Boeing.

Boeing shares dropped by more than 4% after this was announced. The deal was way short of the 500 planes expected by industry analysts. The soya beans, beef and other agriculture products will most probably follow the same pattern of high promises and low deliveries. Epic failure.

I just hope the USA stands firm on its support for Taiwan. A great place, with friendly, hard working people.

48 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

After having been humiliated at the Airport (Xi was not there) Donnie could only bend down and follow Xi like a good trained poodle.🤣

As usual, total garbage!

Even for close partners like Kim Jong-un or Vladimir Putin, Xi has hosted elaborate welcomes, but the initial airport greeting is usually handled by a senior official (Vice President, State Councilor, or Foreign Minister), not Xi himself.

This is why the recent Trump visits (2017 and 2026) followed the same pattern — it’s not treated as a personal snub in diplomatic circles, but rather adherence to long-standing protocol. China uses the rank of the airport greeter to send signals, not whether Xi shows up on the tarmac.

As President (since 2013), Xi Jinping has never personally met a foreign head of state or government at the airport upon their arrival in Beijing.

13 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

I just hope the USA stands firm on its support for Taiwan. A great place, with friendly, hard working people.

Are you joking !! trump will not help Taiwan the boss has spoken !! America is in a downward spiral subservient to china

7 minutes ago, MikeandDow said:

Are you joking !! trump will not help Taiwan the boss has spoken !! America is in a downward spiral subservient to china

I fear you may well be right.

27 minutes ago, mikeymike100 said:

As usual, total garbage!

Even for close partners like Kim Jong-un or Vladimir Putin, Xi has hosted elaborate welcomes, but the initial airport greeting is usually handled by a senior official (Vice President, State Councilor, or Foreign Minister), not Xi himself.

This is why the recent Trump visits (2017 and 2026) followed the same pattern — it’s not treated as a personal snub in diplomatic circles, but rather adherence to long-standing protocol. China uses the rank of the airport greeter to send signals, not whether Xi shows up on the tarmac.

As President (since 2013), Xi Jinping has never personally met a foreign head of state or government at the airport upon their arrival in Beijing.

If you believe your spouted nonsense, it's good for you. Keep it inside your heart 💜

2 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

not Xi himself.

33 minutes ago, mikeymike100 said:

not Xi himself.

This is w

Well, but 2009, when Obama arrived 🙏

15 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Well, but 2009, when Obama arrived 🙏

In 2009, he met President Barack Obama on the tarmac in his capacity as Vice President of China under then-President Hu Jintao.which is normal Chinese diplomatic protocol the Chinese head of state does not welcome visiting foreign dignitaries on the airport tarmac.

40 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

I just hope the USA stands firm on its support for Taiwan. A great place, with friendly, hard working people.

They may be nice people but that does not justify WW3. Trump would do well to maintain the official stance of 'strategic ambiguity' and make it clear that the US, and by extension the west, does not support Taiwanese independence, which is a Chinese redline. This is what Xi is looking for from Trump. He can't stop selling arms to Taiwan as he is legally obliged by Congress to do so, as Xi is fully aware. Of course, the west hyppocritically pays lip service to Taiwanese freedom and democracy, but this serves as cover for the real reason behind the support: the fact that Taiwan produces over ninety percent of the most advanced microchips, with its semi-conductor industry being indispensable to a variety of sectors.

6 minutes ago, MikeandDow said:

In 2009, he met President Barack Obama on the tarmac in his capacity as Vice President of China under then-President Hu Jintao.which is normal Chinese diplomatic protocol the Chinese head of state does not welcome visiting foreign dignitaries on the airport tarmac.

Everybody knows that. Where is your point???😳

2 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Everybody knows that. Where is your point???😳

Apparently you don't !!! quote After having been humiliated at the Airport (Xi was not there)

1 hour ago, mikeymike100 said:

As usual, total garbage!

Even for close partners like Kim Jong-un or Vladimir Putin, Xi has hosted elaborate welcomes, but the initial airport greeting is usually handled by a senior official (Vice President, State Councilor, or Foreign Minister), not Xi himself.

This is why the recent Trump visits (2017 and 2026) followed the same pattern — it’s not treated as a personal snub in diplomatic circles, but rather adherence to long-standing protocol. China uses the rank of the airport greeter to send signals, not whether Xi shows up on the tarmac.

As President (since 2013), Xi Jinping has never personally met a foreign head of state or government at the airport upon their arrival in Beijing.

Absolutely correct, its of concern how ignorant some folks can be, when they have an agenda!

1 hour ago, newbee2022 said:

Well, but 2009, when Obama arrived 🙏

He wasn't the President then!! Do try and keep up!

2 hours ago, Eric Loh said:

Trump folded like a pretzel and lack the courage to confront Xi to reaffirm USA long standing policy to support Taiwan against China. Needed a press conference by Marco Rublio to make the stand for Taiwan. Trump's policy towards Taiwan has been inconsistence and more malleable than that of previous administrations. I will not be shocked if he watered down the arms sales to Taiwan to appease Xi.

To suggest Trump "folded" ignores his fundamental strategy of calculated unpredictability.

By refusing to stick to a 40-year-old diplomatic script, he forces Xi into a position of uncertainty where the U.S. response is no longer a known variable. This isn't weakness; it’s a refusal to let Beijing dictate the terms of the engagement. The "Good Cop/Bad Cop" dynamic with Marco Rubio is a deliberate division of labor that allows the President to maintain a personal channel for high-stakes crisis management in the Strait of Hormuz while his Secretary of State signals to the world that the U.S. military commitment to Taiwan remains a "red line" that China cannot cross.

Furthermore, the idea that he would "water down" arms sales to appease Xi is contradicted by a record of providing Taiwan with more sophisticated, offensive capabilities than any previous administration.

Trump has effectively weaponized the relationship, moving it from a static policy to a dynamic strategic asset. By walking away from Beijing without a trade deal, he proved he would rather face the "Supply Wall" and use the 5th Fleet to break the IRGC blockade than sacrifice Pacific security. He didn't fold like a pretzel; he cleared the board so that when the "Sledgehammer" protocol begins, Xi knows exactly how high the stakes have become.

8 minutes ago, Smokey and the Bandit said:

He wasn't the President then!! Do try and keep up!

Everybody knows that. What is your point?😳

1 hour ago, MikeandDow said:

In 2009, he met President Barack Obama on the tarmac in his capacity as Vice President of China under then-President Hu Jintao.which is normal Chinese diplomatic protocol the Chinese head of state does not welcome visiting foreign dignitaries on the airport tarmac.

And your problem is?

8 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

And your problem is?

You posting garbage just trolling

Xi’s pledge to Trump was clear: he supposedly opposed the "militarization" of the Strait and any "tolling system." However, the events of the last 48 hours show a total lack of command and control.

A ship anchored off the UAE (reportedly the Hui Chuan) was boarded by IRGC personnel at the exact same time Trump and Xi were releasing their joint statement.

The Sinking of the Haji Ali (May 14): An Indian-flagged cargo ship didn't just get harassed—it was hit by an "explosive object" (drone/missile) and sunk off Oman.

Xi was alleged to have some influence over the IRGC, but If Xi had the influence he claimed, these attacks wouldn't have happened during the most sensitive 48 hours of his diplomatic year.

Another major failure. Let's give Trump an F. The worst negotiator Amerca has ever seen. Xi made him look like the weak punk he truly is. Don is a coward, an embarrassment, and a major loser.

4 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Another major failure. Let's give Trump an F. The worst negotiator Amerca has ever seen. Xi made him look like the weak punk he truly is. Don is a coward, an embarrassment, and a major loser.

I believe you have a reasonably intelligent brain, but this outburst of yours is mere playground drivel, is embarrassing, and shows you up as a "major loser".

37 minutes ago, Smokey and the Bandit said:

Xi’s pledge to Trump was clear: he supposedly opposed the "militarization" of the Strait and any "tolling system." However, the events of the last 48 hours show a total lack of command and control.

A ship anchored off the UAE (reportedly the Hui Chuan) was boarded by IRGC personnel at the exact same time Trump and Xi were releasing their joint statement.

The Sinking of the Haji Ali (May 14): An Indian-flagged cargo ship didn't just get harassed—it was hit by an "explosive object" (drone/missile) and sunk off Oman.

Xi was alleged to have some influence over the IRGC, but If Xi had the influence he claimed, these attacks wouldn't have happened during the most sensitive 48 hours of his diplomatic year.

Yes indeed, Xi failed miserably and now it seems President Trump will have to do it the hard way!

43 minutes ago, Smokey and the Bandit said:

To suggest Trump "folded" ignores his fundamental strategy of calculated unpredictability.

By refusing to stick to a 40-year-old diplomatic script, he forces Xi into a position of uncertainty where the U.S. response is no longer a known variable. This isn't weakness; it’s a refusal to let Beijing dictate the terms of the engagement. The "Good Cop/Bad Cop" dynamic with Marco Rubio is a deliberate division of labor that allows the President to maintain a personal channel for high-stakes crisis management in the Strait of Hormuz while his Secretary of State signals to the world that the U.S. military commitment to Taiwan remains a "red line" that China cannot cross.

Furthermore, the idea that he would "water down" arms sales to appease Xi is contradicted by a record of providing Taiwan with more sophisticated, offensive capabilities than any previous administration.

Trump has effectively weaponized the relationship, moving it from a static policy to a dynamic strategic asset. By walking away from Beijing without a trade deal, he proved he would rather face the "Supply Wall" and use the 5th Fleet to break the IRGC blockade than sacrifice Pacific security. He didn't fold like a pretzel; he cleared the board so that when the "Sledgehammer" protocol begins, Xi knows exactly how high the stakes have become.

Foreign policy based on calculated unpredictability strategy? You got to be kidding. US is a superpower and a global leader ( maybe not now) and you think that being unpredictable is the strategy that will foster lasting foreign relationship, trust and unity among allies?

China has a structured and discipline political system and see deceit as a sign of weakness. They will not take kindly to foreign policy deception and will reciprocate in kind. US is in no position to dictate foreign policies when the domestic economy is in a shamble.

The arms sales will proceed as the agreement already signed. I hope it does. Trump may not throw a spanner on the arms sales but he can delay till he gone.

The red line does not scare China if they decide to invade Taiwan. Personally I don’t think they will. US has no agreement to come to the aid of Taiwan if invaded. They can supply arms but it will not stop the invasion. They don’t have the politically will to defend Taiwan; period.

2 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

If you believe your spouted nonsense, it's good for you. Keep it inside your heart 💜

Obviously you're one of these strange people that don't like facts!