Trump praises Xi as Chinese leader warns of possible conflict over Taiwan
Photo: Trump promised friendship, Xi Jinping warned of conflict (Getty Images)
Leader of China Xi Jinping warned US President Donald Trump during a meeting in Beijing that conflicts could arise between the two countries if Washington mishandles the Taiwan issue, according to AP.
Trump opened the meeting with compliments.
“You’re a great leader. Sometimes people don’t like me saying it, but I say it anyway, because it’s true,” he told Xi. He later added, “It’s an honor to be with you. It’s an honor to be your friend.”
Xi responded more cautiously. In his opening remarks, he said the two countries must avoid the “Thucydides Trap” — a term in international relations theory suggesting that when one major power begins to displace another, it often ends in war.
Warning over Taiwan delivered behind closed doors
During the closed-door part of the talks, which lasted about two hours in the Great Hall of the People, Xi spoke about the future of Taiwan.
“The Taiwan question is the most important issue in China-US relations. If it is handled properly, the bilateral relationship will enjoy overall stability. Otherwise, the two countries will have clashes and even conflicts, putting the entire relationship in great jeopardy,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning quoted Xi as telling Trump.
In the public part of the meeting, Xi also stressed:
- “Cooperation benefits both sides, while confrontation harms both.”
- “The two countries should be partners rather than rivals, achieve success together and pursue common prosperity, and chart a correct path for major-country relations in the new era.”
Xi has previously used the term “Thucydides Trap” in talks with US presidents, including in 2014 and during meetings with Joe Biden in 2022 and 2024.
The Trump-Xi meeting began on May 14 at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, where the US president was welcomed with an official ceremony and honor guard.
Trump arrived in China on May 13 for the first time in nine years. A large business delegation accompanied him to Beijing, including executives from Apple, NVIDIA, and Tesla.
