Chinese President Xi Jinping told US President Donald Trump during a phone call on Monday (Nov 24) that “Taiwan’s return to mainland China” is an essential element of the post-World War II international order, China’s state news agency Xinhua reported.
“China and the United States once fought side by side against fascism and militarism, and now they should work together to ensure the outcome of World War II,” Xi Jinping said.
The remarks come as Beijing pushes back against a recent suggestion by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi that the Japanese military could intervene if China moves against the self-ruled island of Taiwan.
China considers Taiwan its territory and has not ruled out using force to gain control.
Xi calls for “momentum” in Sino-US ties
Aside from Taiwan, Xi told Trump that bilateral relations had “stabilized and improved” since their Oct. 30 meeting in South Korea.
“Facts once again show that cooperation benefits both sides, while confrontation hurts both,” Xi said, adding that the leaders’ earlier meeting “helped calibrate the course and bring momentum to the ever-moving giant ship of Sino-US relations.”
He urged Washington to “maintain the momentum of ties” and expand cooperation in key areas.
Trade back on the agenda: soy, rare earths, tariffs
Chinese state media said trade featured in the conversation, although no new deals were announced.
The discussion comes on the heels of a trade truce that saw Washington cut tariffs by 10% and Beijing ease restrictions on rare earth exports. China has also resumed buying US soybeans, a long-standing sticking point in negotiations.
Trump suggested last week that Beijing was preparing to increase purchases: “They’re doing it right now…they’re going to buy a lot of soybeans.”
Talks over “blanket licenses” to export rare earths continue, with shortages this year disrupting global supply chains for industries from cars to robotics.
The Trump administration is also reconsidering whether to allow the sale of advanced U.S. AI chips to China, though the topic was reportedly not discussed during the call.
Ukraine war: Xi reiterates support for peace efforts
Xi and Trump also discussed the Russia-Ukraine war amid renewed diplomatic activity involving Washington, Kiev and European partners.
China “supports all efforts leading to peace,” Xi told Trump, urging all sides “to narrow their differences.”
