Xi Warns Trump Taiwan Could Spark US-China Clashes at Beijing Summit

Chinese President Xi Jinping warned President Donald Trump that Taiwan could trigger clashes and even conflicts between the world's two superpowers during a summit in Beijing.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Xi stressed to Trump that the Taiwan question is the most important issue in China-US relations. "If it is handled properly, the bilateral relationship will enjoy overall stability. Otherwise, the two countries will have clashes and even conflicts, putting the entire relationship in great jeopardy," Mao said after the meeting.

A senior White House official told Fox News Digital that both sides reiterated their long-stated stances on the issue and everyone understands each other's position.

Trump took a warm tone in public remarks, predicting a fantastic future together and calling Xi a great leader as the two opened talks focused on trade, investment and economic cooperation. "In fact, the longest relationship of our two countries that any president and president has had," Trump said. "We've had a fantastic relationship. We've gotten along."

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., criticized Trump after the meeting for not responding forcefully to Xi's warning. "Just hours in, and Xi Jinping has already threatened to, quote, collide or even clash, unquote, with the United States if we continue our support for Taiwan. Trump apparently didn't say anything in response. He was just mute," Schumer said. "For the sake of democracy and the stability of the global economy, Trump must not sell out Taiwan. Trump must also safeguard the interests of American workers, families and businesses."

The exchange highlights Taiwan as a central fault line in US-China relations, even as both sides emphasize trade and economic cooperation.

Analysts had warned before the summit that the best outcome for Taiwan would be for the issue to stay off the agenda, amid fears Beijing might seek concessions or influence US policy language in closed-door talks.

Trump had suggested before the summit that US arms sales to Taiwan could arise in discussions with Xi. He told reporters earlier this week, "I'm going to have that discussion with President Xi."

That possibility concerned some national security analysts, who cautioned against linking Taiwan to broader US-China negotiations on trade or other issues. "Taiwan needs to stay off the menu," said retired Rear Adm. Mark Montgomery of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies at a pre-summit media briefing. "If they're on the menu and it's about foreign military sales, it's bad. If it's on the menu and it's about some kind of reimagining our statements, that would be worse."

Experts note that even small changes in wording could have big effects. A shift from the US position that it does not support Taiwan independence to one stating it opposes it could aid Beijing's claims over the self-governing island.

For decades, US policy has recognized Beijing as China's government under the One China policy while keeping unofficial ties with Taiwan and supplying defensive arms under the Taiwan Relations Act. Washington has maintained strategic ambiguity on its military response to deter both a Chinese invasion and a unilateral Taiwan independence declaration.

After the summit, Secretary of State Marco Rubio downplayed the Taiwan talks, saying US arms sales to Taiwan did not feature prominently and longstanding policy remained unchanged.

Chinese Embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu told Fox News Digital that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory and China would never promise to renounce force against Taiwan independence separatist activities. "The DPP authorities' obstinate pursuit of their separatist agenda is the root cause undermining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait," Liu said.

The summit's public tone stayed cordial despite Taiwan tensions, with both leaders stressing cooperation and economic ties. Xi told Trump that China and the United States both stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation, adding that the two countries should be partners, not rivals.

Trump arrived in Beijing with top US executives including Apple CEO Tim Cook, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, and Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg.