In a pivotal phone call on November 24, 2025, Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated Beijing’s unwavering stance on Taiwan, telling U.S. President Donald Trump that the island’s “return to China” forms a cornerstone of the international order established after World War II. The conversation, the first between the two leaders since their October 30 summit in Busan, South Korea, also touched on trade stabilization and Russia’s war in Ukraine, signaling a delicate balancing act amid escalating regional tensions.
Call Details: A Mix of Cooperation and Core Interests
According to China’s Foreign Ministry and state media Xinhua, Xi framed the Taiwan issue historically, noting that the U.S. and China fought “shoulder to shoulder against fascism and militarism” during WWII. He urged Trump to “jointly safeguard the victorious outcomes of World War II,” implicitly linking Taiwan’s status to the 1945 Cairo Declaration and Potsdam Proclamation, which Beijing interprets as mandating Taiwan’s return to Chinese sovereignty post-Japanese colonial rule.
- Xi’s Key Points on Taiwan:
- Reunification is “non-negotiable” and integral to global stability.
- External interference, particularly from U.S. allies like Japan, risks undermining the post-war framework.
- China seeks “peaceful” resolution but views Taiwan as an internal affair.
The White House confirmed the call occurred Monday morning but provided no specifics, emphasizing ongoing implementation of Busan agreements. Trump, in a brief post-call statement, described U.S.-China ties as “extremely strong” and announced plans for a Beijing visit in April 2026, with Xi hosting a state visit later that year.
Broader topics included:
- Trade: Affirmation of the one-year tariff truce from Busan, with China resuming U.S. soybean purchases and easing rare earth export controls; U.S. tariffs reduced by 10%.
- Ukraine: Xi called for a “just, lasting, and binding peace agreement” to address the “root of the crisis,” echoing China’s neutral stance while avoiding direct criticism of Russia.
Context: Renewed Pressure Amid Japan Tensions
The call comes days after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi warned that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan would pose an “existential threat” to Japan, potentially triggering Tokyo’s military involvement under its U.S. security pact. Beijing decried this as a “serious affront” to the post-WWII order and a “provocation,” lodging a formal complaint with the UN. Xi’s remarks appear calibrated to counter such alliances, reminding Trump of shared WWII history to underscore U.S. obligations under Beijing’s interpretation of international law.
This follows Trump’s November 2 claim that Xi assured no action on Taiwan during his term, citing Beijing’s awareness of “consequences.” Analysts see Xi’s direct emphasis as a subtle pushback, testing Trump’s “America First” approach to Indo-Pacific commitments.
Global Reactions: Alarm in Taipei, Echoes on X
Taiwan’s government swiftly rejected the framing, with President Lai Ching-te’s office stating: “Taiwan is a sovereign nation, and its future is determined by its people, not historical declarations.” U.S. lawmakers, including Senate Foreign Relations Chair Marco Rubio, called for bolstering Taiwan arms sales, warning against “concessions that erode deterrence.”
On X, reactions ranged from hawkish critiques to geopolitical analysis:
- China’s UN Ambassador Fu Cong amplified Xi’s message: “Taiwan’s return to China is an important part of the post-war international order.” (2.3K views)
- Indo-Pacific expert Derek Grossman noted: “Xi is linking Taiwan directly to WWII outcomes— a bold historical play.” (4.2K views)
- Broader discourse highlighted risks, with one analyst warning of a “shot-clock” on Taiwan amid China’s economic pressures. (49K views)
Implications: A High-Stakes Diplomatic Dance
While the call projects stability—building on Busan’s tariff pause—it underscores Taiwan as the “red line” in U.S.-China relations. Trump’s deal-making style may yield short-term economic wins, but Xi’s invocation of WWII history signals no retreat on sovereignty claims. With Japan’s missile deployments near Taiwan (110 km away) labeled a “provocation” by Beijing, the strait remains a flashpoint.
As one X user quipped: “Xi to Trump: Taiwan’s not optional—it’s history homework.” Future talks, including Trump’s Beijing trip, will test whether rhetoric translates to de-escalation or deeper divides.