• Chinese president tells Trump mishandling of Taiwan could spark conflict
• Calls it ‘most important issue’ in China-US relations
• Trump claims Xi pledged not to send military equipment to Iran
• White House says both sides agreed Iran ‘must never have nuclear weapon’
• Seeks Chinese purchases of US aircraft, farm goods, energy

BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping warned US President Donald Trump on Thursday that mishandling the Taiwan issue could push the two countries into an “extremely dangerous” situation, even as Trump claimed Beijing’s support in efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz amid the US-Israel war on Iran.

Xi’s warning came during more than two hours of talks at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, where Trump received a red-carpet welcome, complete with an honour guard, a military band, a 21-gun salute and schoolchildren waving flags and flowers.

Despite the warning over Taiwan, the US summary of the talks focused largely on Iran and the two leaders’ shared interest in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, the key waterway largely blocked since the US-Israel war on Iran erupted.

Trump told Fox News that Xi had offered China’s help to reopen the Strait and had pledged not to send military equipment to Iran.

“He said he’s not going to give military equipment… he said that strongly,” Trump told the Hannity show. “He’d like to see the Hormuz Strait open, and said ‘if I can be of any help whatsoever, I would like to help.’”

According to a White House readout of the closed-door meeting, “President Xi also made clear China’s opposition to the militarisation of the Strait and any effort to charge a toll for its use.” It added that China had expressed interest in purchasing more American oil to reduce its long-term dependence on shipments passing through the Gulf chokepoint.

The White House also claimed that both sides agreed that “Iran can never have a nuclear weapon”.

The Chinese foreign ministry earlier said the Middle East had been discussed but did not give further details.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Fox News that it was in China’s interest to help resolve the crisis as many of its ships are stuck in the Gulf and a slowdown in the global economy would hurt its exporters.

Iran’s Fars news agency reported on Thursday that an agreement had been reached to let some Chinese ships pass.

Analysts doubt Xi will be willing to push Tehran hard or end support for its military, given Iran’s value to Beijing as a strategic counterweight to the United States.

The Iran war has also weighed on Trump domestically, denting his approval ratings, raising inflation and increasing political risks ahead of November’s midterm elections. His visit to China — the first by a US president in nearly a decade — has therefore taken on added significance as he seeks economic and diplomatic gains.

‘Highly perilous situation’

Xi said the “Taiwan question is the most important issue in China-US relations”, according to remarks published by Chinese state media shortly after the start of the talks.

“If mishandled, the two nations could collide or even come into conflict, pushing the entire China-US relationship into a highly perilous situation,” he added.

The remarks amounted to a stark warning during a summit that was otherwise marked by ceremonial warmth and public expressions of goodwill. Trump described Xi as a “great leader” and “friend” and said the relationship between China and the United States was “going to be better than ever before”.

The White House described the initial talks as “good”, but its readout made no mention of Taiwan. Rubio, who accompanied Trump to China, later confirmed to NBC News that Taiwan was discussed.

“The Chinese always raise it on their side, we always make clear our position and we move on to the other topics,” Rubio said, adding that “US policy on the issue of Taiwan is unchanged as of today”.

Trump did not respond to a reporter’s shouted question whether the leaders had discussed Taiwan as he posed with Xi later for photos at the Temple of Heaven, a Unesco World Heritage Site where emperors once prayed for good harvests.

Adam Ni, editor of newsletter China Neican, told AFP that while Xi’s “blunt language” was not uncommon in party state media, it was unusual coming from the leader himself.

China has been “signalling a desire for US compromise on Taiwan”, the National University of Singapore’s Chong Ja Ian told AFP. Xi’s demand could suggest “they see some opportunity to convince Trump”, he said.

Trade talks show progress

Trade and investment were also high on the agenda. Xi told Trump that preparatory negotiations between the US and Chinese economic and trade teams in South Korea on Wednesday had reached “balanced and positive outcomes”, according to China’s foreign ministry.

The talks were aimed at maintaining a fragile trade truce reached when the two leaders last met in October. Under that understanding, Trump suspended triple-digit tariffs on Chinese goods, while Xi backed away from choking global supplies of vital rare earths.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who led Wednesday’s talks, said he expected progress on mechanisms to support future bilateral trade and investment, as well as an announcement on large Chinese orders for Boeing aircraft.

Washington is also looking to sell farm goods and energy to China to cut a trade deficit that has long irked Trump. Beijing, for its part, wants US curbs eased on exports of chip-making equipment and advanced semiconductors, officials involved in the planning said.

Earlier, seemingly enjoying the ceremony, Trump said: “The relationship between China and the USA is going to be better than ever before.”

Xi instead referenced a political theory about the risks of war when a rising power rivals a ruling one, inspired by an ancient Greek historian.

“Can China and the United States transcend the so-called ‘Thucydides Trap’ and forge a new paradigm for major-power relations?” Xi asked.

At a state banquet in the evening, the Chinese leader insisted it was possible. “Achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and making America great again can totally go hand in hand… and advance the wellbeing of the whole world,” Xi said, in reference to Trump’s MAGA movement.

Trump also described the talks as “extremely positive” and called the banquet “another cherished opportunity to discuss among friends”.

He also invited Xi for a reciprocal visit to the White House on Sept 24, which would be the Chinese leader’s first visit to Washington since Trump began his second term last year.

Published in Dawn, May 15th, 2026