Xi Jinping Issues Warning to Trump: US-China Relations Could Heat Up Over Taiwan
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia — United States President Donald Trump met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday (14/5/2026), in a high-level summit that has captured global attention amid escalating issues on trade, Taiwan, and global geopolitics.
The meeting, held at the Great Hall of the People, is scheduled to continue until Friday. The agenda includes tariff wars, Taiwan, Iran, and bilateral trade relations between the two countries.
In his opening remarks, Trump stated that US-China relations would be “better than ever before.”
“We have known each other longer than any other US or Chinese presidents,” Trump said, referring to his personal relationship with Xi since his first visit to China in 2017, quoted from CNBC.com on Thursday (14/5/2026).
Meanwhile, Xi highlighted the world’s significant attention to the meeting between the leaders of the world’s two largest economies. He also raised the issue of the “Thucydides Trap,” a concept regarding the risk of conflict between an established power and a rising one.
Xi then issued a stern warning on Taiwan. According to him, the Taiwan issue is the most important matter in China-US relations.
“If handled well, bilateral relations will enjoy overall stability. But if not, the two countries will face clashes or even conflicts that could place the entire relationship in great danger,” Xi said, quoted from China’s state news agency, Xinhua.
Xi also emphasised that peace in the Taiwan Strait cannot coexist with efforts towards Taiwan’s independence.
“Peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is the greatest common interest between China and the United States,” he stated.
China has long regarded Taiwan as part of its territory. Meanwhile, the Taiwanese government asserts its position as a de facto independent territory since 1949.
The Trump-Xi meeting takes place amid rising global geopolitical tensions, from Middle East conflicts and trade wars to US technology restrictions on China.
“China is coming to this meeting with far greater confidence than in 2017,” said Scott Kennedy from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).
According to Kennedy, China is now seen as better prepared to face tariff pressures and Trump’s tough policies compared to previous periods.
During the visit, Trump was accompanied by several US officials and business executives. The US delegation includes Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Apple CEO Tim Cook, and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang.
Previously, Trump stated that he would also discuss US military support for Taiwan directly with Xi.
“President Xi wants us not to do that, and I will discuss it,” Trump said earlier this week when asked about US arms sales to Taiwan.
A New York Times report mentioned that a bipartisan group of US senators is urging Trump to proceed with a $14 billion arms sales package to Taiwan that was previously delayed at the US State Department.
Last year, Washington also approved $11 billion in arms sales to Taiwan, which immediately provoked strong protests from Beijing.