Trump And Xi Hold High Stakes Call On Trade And Taiwan

On February 4, 2026, United States President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a phone call that both sides described as extensive and significant, covering a wide array of topics from trade and energy to military issues, Taiwan, Iran, and the ongoing war in Ukraine. The conversation, which marked the first direct exchange between the two leaders in over two months, underscored the complexity and high stakes of U.S.-China relations as both countries navigate a turbulent international landscape.

According to Xinhua, the Chinese state news agency, the phone call came just hours after President Xi spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which China and Russia pledged to strengthen their partnership in the face of what they called a “turbulent” global environment. The sequence of conversations reflects China’s efforts to position itself as a key diplomatic player amid shifting alliances and ongoing conflicts, particularly the war in Ukraine and tensions in the Middle East.

President Trump, ever eager to highlight his personal rapport with world leaders, took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to share his perspective on the call. “I just finished a great phone call with President Xi,” Trump wrote. “It was a long and detailed call.” He went on to describe the relationship with China—and his personal relationship with Xi—as “very friendly,” adding, “We all recognize how important it is to maintain it.” Trump expressed optimism about the future, stating, “I believe we can achieve many positive results with Xi and China during the remaining three years of my term.”

The topics discussed were as wide-ranging as they were consequential. Both leaders touched on bilateral trade relations, military matters, and the global energy market. Trump revealed that China had agreed to significantly increase its purchase of U.S. soybeans, raising this season’s imports from 12 million tonnes to 20 million tonnes, with a further increase to 25 million tonnes slated for the following season. “China has decided to increase its purchase of U.S. soybeans to 20 million tons this season, and 25 million tons will be purchased next season,” Trump stated, celebrating the agreement as a boon for American farmers. However, as Xinhua noted, the Chinese government’s readout made no mention of soybean purchases, highlighting the sometimes divergent messaging that follows such high-level talks.

The leaders also discussed China’s potential purchase of U.S. oil and gas—a notable development given that China has historically relied on Russian, Iranian, and Venezuelan energy supplies. Trump’s mention of this topic is particularly significant in the context of U.S. efforts to pressure allies and partners, like India, to reduce their reliance on Russian oil and pivot toward American and Venezuelan crude. According to reporting from Maeil Kyungjae, the idea of China shifting even a portion of its energy imports to U.S. sources could have substantial implications for global energy markets and diplomatic alignments.

Military and security issues were also on the agenda, with Trump indicating that the two leaders discussed the supply of aircraft engines and other defense-related topics. The conversation came against the backdrop of the U.S.’s recent approval of an $11 billion arms package for Taiwan in December 2025—one of the largest such deals in history. The arms sale was intended to bolster Taiwan’s defense capabilities amid rising tensions with Beijing.

The Taiwan issue, as always, loomed large over the dialogue. According to Xinhua, President Xi was unequivocal in his position, stating, “Taiwan is the most important issue in China–U.S. relations.” Xi reiterated that “Taiwan is China’s territory, and China will surely defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity and will never allow Taiwan to be divided.” He urged the United States to approach arms sales to Taiwan with “great prudence,” signaling Beijing’s deep unease over Washington’s military support for the self-governing island.

President Trump, for his part, acknowledged China’s concerns about Taiwan and expressed a desire to maintain communication and stability in the bilateral relationship. “We value China’s concerns about Taiwan,” Trump stated, adding, “We hope to maintain communication with China and maintain better and stable U.S.-China relations during my term.” The exchange reflects the delicate balancing act facing both leaders: Trump must reassure American allies and support Taiwan’s security, while Xi must assert China’s sovereignty claims without triggering a direct confrontation.

Iran and the Russia-Ukraine war also featured in the conversation. Trump noted that the two leaders discussed the situation in Iran, which has been marked by recent protests and a harsh security crackdown. The U.S. president has previously threatened military action against Tehran if it fails to make significant concessions on a range of issues, although he did not provide further details during this call. On the Ukraine front, both sides acknowledged the ongoing conflict, with Xi’s earlier conversation with Putin underscoring China’s intent to maintain strong ties with Russia even as it engages the United States diplomatically.

Looking ahead, Trump is expected to visit China in April 2026—a trip that both leaders hope will further stabilize and perhaps even reset the tone of U.S.-China relations. While the Chinese government’s official readout did not mention the upcoming visit, Trump’s public statements have made clear that he sees the trip as a key opportunity to advance shared interests and manage differences.

President Xi, for his part, struck a hopeful note about the future of the bilateral relationship. “I value China-U.S. relations very much,” he said, according to Xinhua. “I hope that I will lead a big ship of China-U.S. relations with you in the new year and move forward stably to do more big and good things.” The metaphor of steering a “big ship” together captures both the scale of the challenges and the potential rewards of cooperation between the world’s two largest economies.

Despite the positive rhetoric, significant challenges remain. Competing interests in technology, trade, and regional security continue to strain the relationship. The issue of Taiwan, in particular, remains a potential flashpoint, with both sides holding firm to positions that leave little room for compromise. The U.S.’s arms sales to Taiwan and China’s insistence on reunification are likely to test the limits of diplomatic engagement in the months ahead.

Still, the willingness of both Trump and Xi to engage directly—and to publicly affirm the importance of stable relations—offers a measure of reassurance at a time of considerable global uncertainty. As the world watches for the next moves from Washington and Beijing, the stakes could hardly be higher. The path ahead may be fraught, but for now, both leaders appear committed to keeping the channels of communication open—and to steering their respective ships through what promises to be a challenging year.