Xi Cites Taiwan Differences as Conflict Risk in Trump Talks

President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping met Thursday in Beijing, where Xi warned that differences over Taiwan could lead to conflict between the world's two largest economies. Xi placed Taiwan at the center of discussions, calling it "the most important issue" between the two countries.

Trump was met with an honor guard and a crowd of children waving Chinese and American flags upon arrival. "The relationship between China and the USA is going to be better than ever before," Trump said in opening remarks at the Great Hall of the People.

Xi said his country was committed to building a relationship of strategic stability with the United States. "If it is handled properly, the bilateral relationship will enjoy overall stability," Xi told Trump.

Taiwan is a self-governing island that Beijing claims as its own territory. Beijing has refused to rule out taking it by force. The island is a democracy, but under pressure from Beijing very few countries recognize it as independent. The U.S. relationship with Taiwan has long been viewed with anger in Beijing.

Washington continues to sell arms to Taiwan while maintaining a policy of strategic ambiguity over whether it would militarily defend the island. In December the State Department approved a record $11 billion in arms sales to Taiwan, though the package has yet to be delivered.

The meeting followed months of trade tensions between the economic rivals. Before the current truce, U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods reached triple digits while Beijing imposed curbs on rare earth mineral exports. Those minerals play a vital role in making mobile phones, laptops and many weapons systems.

Xi called for both sides to cooperate. "The common interests between China and the U.S. outweigh their differences," he said. Bilateral trade featured prominently in the meeting, with the White House suggesting ahead of the visit that announcements could come on soybeans and aircraft.