Chinese President Xi Jinping warned US President Donald Trump that tensions over Taiwan could push relations between the world’s two largest economies toward conflict, even as both leaders signaled progress in ongoing trade negotiations during a high-profile summit in Beijing.
The two-day meeting, which opened on Thursday at the Great Hall of the People, comes at a critical moment for global geopolitics, with trade uncertainty, the Iran conflict and competition over technology continuing to strain relations between Washington and Beijing.
Trump described the summit as potentially the “biggest summit ever” as he praised Xi during opening remarks attended by senior officials, diplomats and business executives.
“You’re a great leader, sometimes people don’t like me saying it, but I say it anyway,” Trump told Xi at the start of talks that reportedly lasted more than two hours.
Taiwan Tensions Dominate Discussions
Despite the cordial tone, Taiwan emerged as one of the most sensitive issues during the discussions.
According to a Chinese foreign ministry readout, Xi warned Trump that Taiwan remained “the most important issue” in bilateral relations and cautioned that mishandling the matter could place the two countries on “an extremely dangerous situation” that could lead to direct conflict.
The warning comes amid continued US military and political support for Taiwan, a self-governing island China considers part of its territory. Washington’s planned weapons package for Taiwan has remained a major source of friction between the two powers.
Political analyst Joe Mazur of Trivium China said Xi’s comments reflected Beijing’s growing impatience over Taiwan-related developments.
“He’s warning the U.S. side in no uncertain terms not to screw around,” Mazur noted.
Trump did not publicly address the Taiwan issue following the meeting, declining to answer reporters’ questions during a later appearance with Xi at Beijing’s historic Temple of Heaven.
Trade Talks Show Signs of Progress
Alongside security concerns, trade negotiations featured prominently on the summit agenda as both governments seek to stabilize economic ties after years of tariff disputes and supply chain disruptions.
Xi said talks between US and Chinese trade teams held in South Korea earlier this week had produced “overall balanced and positive outcomes,” signaling cautious optimism over maintaining the fragile trade truce reached last October.
The negotiations are expected to focus on tariffs, investment access, rare earth mineral supplies and technology restrictions.
Trump, whose domestic approval ratings have come under pressure amid inflation concerns linked to the Iran conflict, is seeking economic gains from the visit, including expanded Chinese purchases of American agricultural products and aircraft.
Global Stakes Rising
The Beijing summit is widely viewed as one of the most consequential diplomatic engagements between the two countries in recent years.
Beyond trade, discussions are expected to touch on artificial intelligence, regional security and broader strategic competition between Washington and Beijing.
While both leaders projected confidence publicly, analysts say underlying tensions remain significant as the US and China attempt to balance economic cooperation with intensifying geopolitical rivalry.
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