Xi Jinping Warns Donald Trump Taiwan Mishandling Could Spark Clashes And Conflicts In Beijing

Chinese President Xi Jinping warned President Donald Trump in Beijing that mishandling Taiwan could spark “clashes and even conflicts,” as the two leaders met for high-stakes talks at the Great Hall of the People.

“China's Xi warns Trump that differences over Taiwan could lead to conflict China’s Xi Jinping has warned President Donald Trump that their two countries could clash over Taiwan if the issue is not handled properly BEIJING -- China’s Xi Jinping warned President Donald Trump on Thursday that their two countries could clash over Taiwan if the issue was not handled properly, an unusually harsh admonition that stood in contrast to the American leader’s praise for his counterpart”

ABC News

The Washington Post reported that Xi told Trump, “If it is handled properly, the bilateral relationship will enjoy overall stability,” while adding that otherwise “the two countries will have clashes and even conflicts, putting the entire relationship in great jeopardy.”

ABC News

NBC News said Xi stressed that Taiwan is the most important issue in U.S.-China relations and that “Otherwise, the two countries will have clashes and even conflicts, putting the entire relationship in great jeopardy,” according to the Chinese readout.

The Guardian described Xi’s broader message to Trump as keeping China-U.S. relations “generally stable,” with Xi saying the two countries “should be partners rather than rivals.”

While Xi delivered a stern Taiwan warning, the meeting also featured public praise, with Trump telling Xi, “You’re a great leader. Sometimes people don’t like me saying it, but I say it anyway, because it’s true.”

ABC News reported that a post on X by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Xi told Trump that “the Taiwan question is the most important issue in China-U.S. relations.”

Al Jazeera

CBS News said the White House characterized the meeting as “good,” even as the Chinese readout emphasized Taiwan and warned of “clashes and even conflicts” if the issue was not “handled properly.”

The Guardian added that US secretary of state Marco Rubio said the US policy on Taiwan is “unchanged” after talks between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, while Xi emphasized Taiwan “is the most important issue in China-US relations.”

Beyond Taiwan, the summit included trade and security themes, with The Guardian saying US and Chinese economic and trade teams “reached an overall balanced and positive outcome” in discussions yesterday.

The Guardian also reported that the US has cleared about 10 Chinese firms to buy Nvidia’s second-most powerful chip, a move described as potentially clearing the way for the end of the standoff over tech rivalry.

In parallel, NBC News said the White House described Xi and Trump agreeing that the Strait of Hormuz “must remain open,” while also noting that Xi expressed opposition to the militarization of the Strait of Hormuz and interest in buying American oil.

CoinDesk linked market jitters to Xi’s Taiwan warning, saying BTC traded at $79,200 in Asian hours Thursday and that the comments rattled Asian equities and the broader crypto market, as the summit began in Beijing.