Xi Warns Trump Mishandling Taiwan Puts U.S.-China Relationship in Great Jeopardy

Chinese President Xi Jinping warned U.S. President Donald Trump during their first round of talks in Beijing that mishandling Taiwan would put the U.S.-China relationship in "great jeopardy".

NBC News reported the summit included a "two hours and 15 minutes" meeting at the start of a highly anticipated two-day visit, with Xi warning that Taiwan mishandling would cause "clashes and even conflicts".

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CNBC said Xi told Trump that "the Taiwan question" is "the most important issue in China-U.S. relations," and that Taiwan independence and peace in the Taiwan Strait "are as irreconcilable as fire and water."

The BBC described Xi’s grand welcome for Trump at the Great Hall of the People, including a gun salute and a band playing the U.S. national anthem, as Trump later called the talks a "cherished" opportunity at a banquet.

CNN added that Xi told Trump the Taiwan issue could create a "highly dangerous situation" if mishandled, while Trump said Xi pledged not to provide military equipment to Iran.

NBC News said Secretary of State Marco Rubio told NBC News that Trump discussed the Iran war and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz during the summit with Xi, and that the U.S. was not asking for China’s help with Iran.

Fox News reported Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Xi warned that the Taiwan question could trigger "clashes and even conflicts," while a senior administration official told Fox News Digital that "both sides reiterated their long-stated stance on the issue".

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Fox News quoted Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., accusing Trump of failing to respond forcefully, saying, "Just hours in, and Xi Jinping has already threatened to" collide or even clash.

Al Jazeera explained that Rubio entered China despite sanctions because Beijing changed the transliteration of Rubio’s name, with Alan Fisher saying, "China has done that using a sleight of hand: His name is spelled different in official documents for this visit."

BBC described Trump’s public tone as warm, including his remark "You're a great leader. I say it to everybody," as the summit’s thorny issues remained Taiwan and Iran.

Le Monde.fr said the White House reported convergence of views that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open and that Iran must never obtain nuclear weapons, while Trump extended an invitation for a meeting at the White House on September 24.

CNN reported Trump said early Friday local time that his military campaign against Iran is "to be continued!" and said Xi pledged not to provide military equipment to Tehran, as the summit’s schedule included a bilateral tea and lunch before Trump departed.

BBC framed the remaining questions as whether a trade truce would last and what deal would take its place, alongside Iran and Taiwan, with the visit described as potentially resetting ties between rival superpowers.

The South China Morning Post editorial said Beijing had stipulated a concrete red line for strategic stability: the issue of Taiwan, warning that if it is not handled well it would destabilise ties and lead to conflict and confrontation.

In the same thread of consequences, Le Monde.fr quoted Taiwan’s government spokeswoman Michelle Lee saying, "Beijing authorities are currently the only risk to regional peace and stability," and added that the Taiwanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs cited Chinese military harassment and "gray zone" tactics.