Expert Analysis on Taiwan and the End of the Iran War Following Trump-Xi Jinping Meeting
The historic meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping has taken place in Beijing. The convergence of these two superpower leaders is predicted to have a significant impact on global political dynamics.
Teuku Rezasyable, an International Relations expert from Padjadjaran University, stated that the meeting between Trump and Xi Jinping is beneficial for global stability. The moment provides a space for both nations to ease tensions after perceiving each other as competitors.
“This summit between the two superpowers is good for the world as it avoids misunderstandings that could arise if they were to compete and attempt to defeat one another, despite both still possessing potential for cooperation,” Teuku said when contacted on Monday (18/5/2026).
Teuku noted that the United States greatly requires China’s cooperation in pressuring Iran. During the meeting, China and the US also reached an agreement regarding the prohibition of Iran possessing nuclear weapons. According to Teuku, China also has the potential to act as a facilitator in mediating between the US and Iran.
“As a rising superpower, China is well aware of the United States’ demands; however, in practice, China will filter all US requests within a flexible framework to be subsequently communicated to Iran,” Teuku explained.
“That framework will encompass China’s long-term national interests and contain principles of international law based on high world civilisation, which Iran, as a fellow highly civilised nation, will understand,” he added.
While seeing a glimmer of hope regarding the Iran conflict, Teuku assessed that the Trump-Xi Jinping meeting places the US position caught in the vortex of the China-Taiwan conflict. He stated that the warm meeting between the two leaders makes it increasingly difficult for the US to support Taiwan militarily.
“Because the US has witnessed China’s extraordinary rise in economy, diplomacy, and security defence, it will become increasingly difficult for the US to support Taiwan militarily, including conducting military exercises with Taiwan and its allies in Japan and South Korea,” he said.
He added that the US can now only adopt a diplomatic stance in responding to China-Taiwan tensions.
“The safest policy for the US at this time is to prohibit Taiwan from proclaiming independence and to strictly limit visits by high-ranking US officials to Taiwan,” Teucy explained.
US President Donald Trump conducted a working visit to China and held a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, during which Trump offered praise for Xi.
This marks the first visit by a US President to China in the last 10 years. Trump met with Xi to improve trade relations between the two nations amidst potential friction regarding Taiwan and Iran.
Trump departed from Washington DC on Tuesday (12/5) US time and arrived in Beijing on Wednesday (13/5) local time.
During the visit, Trump praised Xi, describing him as a great leader. Trump also expressed optimism for the future of China-US relations, stating he felt honoured to be friends with Xi.
“It is an honour to be with you. It is an honour to be your friend, and the relationship between China and the US will be better than ever,” Trump said, as reported by Anadolu Agency and TRT World on Thursday (14/5).
“We have a fantastic relationship. We remain on good terms even when there are difficulties; we resolve them,” Trump added to Xi.