Taiwan issue tops Xi-Trump talks as leaders discuss Iran war, trade, and energy security

Chinese President Xi Jinping warned US President Donald Trump that errors on Taiwan could lead to "clashes and even conflicts\". The caution came during talks that covered the Iran war, energy security and trade. The White House said the leaders agreed the Strait of Hormuz should stay open. Trump also invited Xi and Xi’s wife to the White House on September 24.

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The White House said Xi opposed any militarisation of the Strait of Hormuz. The readout also said Xi rejected any plan to charge a toll there. It added that Xi showed interest in buying more American oil. The aim was to cut China’s future reliance on the strait. Beijing did not publicly confirm the US account.

Taiwan issue in China-US relations

Xi said the Taiwan question stayed the most important issue in China-US relations. Xi said stable ties depended on handling it properly. Xi warned that failure could damage ties badly. China sees Taiwan as a renegade province for reunification. China also rejects formal ties between Taipei and states recognising Beijing.

The United States has kept links with Taiwan and has continued arms supplies. In an NBC News interview, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Taiwan force would disrupt the world. Rubio said Trump raised Iran with Xi but did not seek help. \"Were not asking for Chinas help. We dont need their help.\" Rubio said China agreed Iran should not have nuclear weapons.

China-US relationship of strategic stability and trade talks

\"I have agreed with President Trump on a new vision of building a constructive China-US relationship of strategic stability,\" Xi said. Xi said the approach should guide ties for the next three years and beyond. Chinese state media reported Xi said people in both countries should welcome it. Xi also said the idea must be backed by real steps.

\"China-US economic ties are mutually beneficial and win-win in nature,\" Xi said. Xi said \"equal-footed consultation\" was the right way to address frictions. Xi said the latest trade talks delivered generally balanced, positive outcomes. Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent finished final talks in South Korea on Wednesday. Details were not released.

\"This is good news for the people of the two countries and the world,\" Xi said. Xi said both sides should keep the momentum they had built. Xi said China would keep opening its door wider. Xi said American companies were involved in China’s reform and opening up. Xi said the US side was welcome to deepen cooperation.

Xi said both sides should use channels across political, diplomatic, and military-to-military fields. Xi also listed areas for more cooperation. The list included economy and trade, health, agriculture, tourism, people-to-people ties, and law enforcement. Xi earlier said 2026 could be a \"historic, landmark year\" for ties. Xi said both sides had more common interests than differences.

Strait of Hormuz and Iran war in China-US talks

The White House said the leaders discussed stopping Iran from getting nuclear weapons. It also said they spoke about expanding economic cooperation. The statement said both sides agreed the Strait of Hormuz must remain open. Iran shut the strait after US-Israeli attacks on February 28. The channel links the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.

Iran has sometimes let Chinese ships pass, the report said. China is Iran’s strategic ally and has bought 90 per cent of Iranian oil. The purchases continued despite US sanctions, the report said. China has not imported US oil since May 2025. That followed 20% tariffs imposed during the trade war, the report said.

Trump called the meeting the biggest summit ever across many issues, including Iran and trade frictions. The trip is the first US presidential visit to China in nine years. Trump was also the last US president to visit China, in 2017. \"When there were difficulties, we worked it out. Were going to have a fantastic future together,\" Trump said.

At a banquet for Trump, Xi urged both sides to keep ties steady. \"We must make it work, and never mess it up,\" Xi said. Xi said both countries gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation. \"Our two countries should be partners rather than rivals,\" Xi added. Trump said talks were positive and constructive, Xinhua reported.

Xinhua reported Trump said the relationship was the world’s most consequential bilateral link. Trump said both sides should deepen cooperation for a better future. Trump, on a three-day state visit, repeatedly called Xi a great leader. Xi said both sides should help each other succeed and prosper. Xi said major countries must find the right way to get along well.

Several US business leaders travelled with Trump. They included Nvidia’s Jensen Huang, Tim Cook of Apple, Elon Musk of Tesla and SpaceX, and Larry Fink of BlackRock. Xi earlier greeted Trump with a ceremonial guard of honour. After the talks, Xi accompanied Trump on a tour of the Temple of Heaven.

Trump’s visit came during economic and geopolitical uncertainty linked to conflict in West Asia. The energy shock has hit Asia in particular, the report said. Xi addressed trade tensions in opening remarks. \"There is no winner in a trade war,\" Xi said. The White House said discussions also covered market access for US firms and Chinese investment in US industries.

With inputs from PTI