Xi Warns Trump That Taiwan Issue Could Trigger China-US Conflict
The Taiwan issue was one of the topics discussed in the talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump on Thursday (14/5). Xi warned Trump that the two countries could come into conflict if the Taiwan matter is not handled properly.
“The Taiwan issue is the most important matter in China-US relations,” said Xi during the meeting with Trump in Beijing, as quoted by the state television station CCTV and reported by AFP on Thursday (14/5/2026).
“If handled improperly, the two countries could clash or even conflict, pushing the entire China-US relationship into a very dangerous situation,” Xi warned Trump.
Trump’s visit to Beijing is the first by a US President in the past decade. Xi welcomed Trump with a red carpet and a grand welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Thursday (14/5) morning.
Beginning with a handshake, the two held a meeting after the welcoming ceremony.
At the start of the meeting, Trump repeatedly offered praise for Xi, calling him a “great leader” and “friend”. He also expressed optimism for the future of relations between the two countries, even suggesting that they have a “fantastic future together”.
“I greatly respect China and the work you have done. You are a great leader,” said Trump, offering praise for Xi.
“I tell everyone. You are a great leader. Sometimes people don’t like me saying it, but I say it anyway because it’s true,” said Trump.
However, Xi, behind the lavish welcome for Trump, adopted a tone that was not overly enthusiastic. He told Trump that the two countries should be “partners and not rivals”, and immediately highlighted the Taiwan issue, which Beijing claims as part of its sovereign territory.
“A stable China-US relationship is a blessing for the world. Cooperation benefits both sides, while confrontation harms both. We should be partners and not rivals,” Xi told Trump during the meeting.
The meeting between the two leaders took place after the US and China were involved in a prolonged trade war in 2025, and also amid disagreements on many major global issues.