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By Gabe Whisnant
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President Donald Trump was urged by Chinese President Xi Jinping to exercise “extreme caution” on U.S. arms sales to Taiwan during a phone call on Wednesday, as Beijing moved to underscore what it calls its most sensitive issue in relations with Washington.
The warning came as the two leaders sought to project stability in United States-China ties following months of trade tensions and ahead of an expected Trump visit to China in April. While both sides described the call in broadly positive terms, Taiwan featured prominently in China’s official account of the conversation.
Xi Raises Taiwan as ‘Most Important’ Issue
According to China’s state broadcaster CCTV, Xi told Trump that the Taiwan question is “the most important issue” in U.S.-China relations and said Beijing would never allow the island to be separated from China. Xi said the United States must handle arms sales to Taiwan with extreme caution, reiterating Beijing’s long‑standing opposition to U.S. military support for the self‑governed island.
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China claims Taiwan as its territory and has repeatedly warned against what it sees as foreign interference. The United States does not recognize Taiwan as a sovereign state but is required by law to provide defensive weapons to the island.
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Trump Emphasizes Cooperation and Stability
Trump, according to the Chinese readout, described the United States and China as “great nations” and said the bilateral relationship was the most important in the world. He said he respected Xi and welcomed China’s development, while expressing a willingness to strengthen cooperation and maintain communication during his term.
Trump also said he valued China’s concerns on Taiwan and was willing to work toward ensuring the “good and stable development” of U.S.-China relations, the Chinese statement said.
The White House did not immediately release its own detailed readout of the call.
Iran Discussed as U.S. Pushes Pressure Campaign
Trump said he and Xi discussed the situation in Iran during the call as the U.S. administration presses China and other countries to further isolate Tehran. The president has continued to weigh potential military action against Iran and last month announced a 25 percent tax on U.S. imports from countries that do business with the Islamic Republic.
Years of sanctions aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear program have left the country diplomatically isolated, though it remains a significant trading partner for several nations. Iran conducted nearly $125 billion in international trade in 2024, including tens of billions of dollars in trade with China, the United Arab Emirates, and Turkey, according to World Trade Organization data.
Trump posted on Truth Social after the call, "I have just completed an excellent telephone conversation with President Xi, of China. It was a long and thorough call, where many important subjects were discussed, including Trade, Military, the April trip that I will be making to China (which I very much look forward to!), Taiwan, the War between Russia/Ukraine, the current situation with Iran, the purchase of Oil and Gas by China from the United States, the consideration by China of the purchase of additional Agricultural products including lifting the Soybean count to 20 Million Tons for the current season (They have committed to 25 Million Tons for next season!), Airplane engine deliveries, and numerous other subjects, all very positive!
"The relationship with China, and my personal relationship with President Xi, is an extremely good one, and we both realize how important it is to keep it that way. I believe that there will be many positive results achieved over the next three years of my Presidency having to do with President Xi, and the People’s Republic of China!"
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Call Follows Trade Truce, Global Tension
Relations between Washington and Beijing had been strained last year by tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, though ties stabilized after the Busan meeting.
Chinese media said Xi emphasized the need for continued dialogue, proper management of differences, and expanded cooperation, citing upcoming global events, including APEC and the G20, as opportunities for engagement between the two powers.
Separately, Xi also spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday.
The outreach to both Trump and Putin comes as the last remaining U.S.-Russian nuclear arms control agreement, known as the New START treaty, is set to expire Thursday, removing limits on the world’s two largest nuclear arsenals for the first time in more than 50 years.
Trump, a Republican, has said he wants to keep caps on nuclear weapons but has argued that China should be included in any future arms control agreement.
“I actually feel strongly that if we’re going to do it, I think China should be a member of the extension,” Trump told The New York Times last month. “China should be a part of the agreement.”
This article includes reporting by the Associated Press.
Update 2/4/26, 1:41 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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