Report: Trump Warns Japan Against Provoking China
Protesters rally in support of Taiwan while other protesters gather outside the prime minister's office to oppose Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks on Taiwan, in Tokyo, Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte)
President Trump advised Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to avoid escalating tensions with China over Taiwan’s status following an intense call between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, according to a Wall Street Journal report citing officials familiar with the discussions.
The reported warning came after Takaichi suggested that Japan might consider a military response if China moved against Taiwan—remarks that drew a strong rebuke from Beijing. Sources told the Journal that Xi spent roughly half of his hourlong conversation with President Trump stressing China’s position on Taiwan and underscoring the importance of U.S.–China cooperation for global stability.
According to the Journal, President Trump’s message to Takaichi was delivered subtly and did not include any direct call for her to walk back her comments. However, some Japanese officials interpreted the exchange as a signal that the U.S. leader did not want rising tensions over Taiwan to disrupt the recent easing in U.S.–China relations.
In response to questions about the conversation, the White House issued a statement from President Trump: “The United States relationship with China is very good, and that’s also very good for Japan, who is our dear and close ally. Getting along with China is a great thing for China and the U.S. In my opinion, President Xi will be substantially upping his purchase of soybean and other farm products, and anything good for our farmers is good for me.”
President Trump described his Tuesday call with Takaichi as a “great talk,” saying, “She’s very smart, she’s very strong. And she’s going to be a great leader.”
Meanwhile, Bloomberg reports that Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara pushed back on the Journal’s account Thursday, saying the article “contains a statement that President Trump advised not to provoke the Chinese government over Taiwan sovereignty issues, but there is no such fact.” He added that he could not comment further on diplomatic discussions but confirmed that the two leaders had reiterated the importance of close U.S.–Japan cooperation.
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