Xi warns Trump over Taiwan, says differences could lead to clash

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. Xi warns Trump over Taiwan, says differences could lead to clash May 14, 20267:02 AM ET By Jan Camenzind Broomby China's President Xi Jinping (R) and US President Donald Trump visit the Temple of Heaven on May 14, 2026 in Beijing, China. China Pool/Getty Images AsiaPac hide caption toggle caption China Pool/Getty Images AsiaPac President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping met Thursday in a choreographed summit in Beijing, where the Chinese leader warned that differences over Taiwan could lead to conflict between the world's two largest economies. As he embarked on the visit, Trump was met with a ceremony that featured an honor guard as well as a crowd of children waving Chinese and American flags.

"The relationship between China and the USA is going to be better than ever before," Trump said, making his opening remarks in the Great Hall of the People. Xi said his country was committed to building a "relationship of strategic stability" with the U. Sponsor Message Taiwan "the most important issue" for Xi US President Donald Trump (R) and China's President Xi Jinping (L) greet children waving Chinese and US national flags and flowers during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on May 14, 2026.

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Kenny Holston/ via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Kenny Holston/ via Getty Images At the summit, Xi placed Taiwan, a key point of friction between the U. and China, at the center, calling it "the most important issue" between the two countries. Taiwan is a self-governing island that Beijing claims as its own territory, and it has refused to rule out taking it by force.

Taiwan is a democracy but, under pressure from Beijing, very few countries recognize it as independent. Beijing has never renounced the use of force to unify Taiwan with the Chinese mainland. The US relationship with Taiwan has long been viewed with anger in Beijing.

Washington continues to sell arms to Taiwan, but has also long adopted a policy of strategic ambiguity over whether it would militarily come to Taiwan's defense. In December, the State Department approved a record $11 billion in arms sales to the island but has yet to deliver the package. "must exercise extra caution in handling the Taiwan question.

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" "If it is handled properly, the bilateral relationship will enjoy overall stability," Xi told Trump. "Otherwise, the two countries will have clashes and even conflicts, putting the entire relationship in great jeopardy. " "'Taiwan independence' and cross-Strait peace are as irreconcilable as fire Sponsor Message and water," Xi said, adding that "safeguarding peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is the biggest common denominator between China and the U.

" Bilateral trade also featured prominently in the meeting Analysts suggest Trump's visit this week is unlikely to lead to major policy changes, but is instead focused on building trust between the two countries.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.