Xi asserts China’s claim over Taiwan in call with Trump

China’s foreign ministry said Xi told Trump that Taiwan’s reintegration with China is a fundamental part of the the "postwar international order”, linking the issue to the historical cooperation between the two nations in fighting fascism and militarism during World War Two.

The leaders also touched on trade and the conflict in Ukraine, with Xi encouraging both sides to maintain stability in their economic relationship.

The issue of Taiwan however dominated the exchange as China faces a deepening diplomatic dispute with Japan, a key U.S. ally, in a row that has triggered a drop in Chinese tourism to Japan, a ban on Japanese seafood and the cancellation of joint cultural programmes.

Tensions flared after Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested earlier this month that Tokyo could intervene militarily should China attack Taiwan.

China maintains that Taiwan is part of its territory and has not ruled out force to achieve reunification. Taiwan’s democratically elected government, meanwhile, insists its future must be determined by its citizens.

Trump made no mention of Taiwan when he posted about the call with Xi on his Truth Social platform, instead praising what he called “extremely strong” U.S.-China ties.

But China’s foreign ministry said Trump acknowledged the sensitivity of the issue for Beijing, telling Xi that Washington “understands how important the Taiwan question is to China.”

The United States does not recognise Taiwan as a sovereign state, but it remains Taipei’s most important international partner and arms supplier.

The two leaders also discussed reciprocal state visits, with Trump planning a trip to China in April and Xi expected to visit Washington in 2026, although Beijing has yet to confirm.