Trump calls Japan PM after Xi call
After speaking with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Donald Trump phoned Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Takaichi said. In the Nov. 24 Xi–Trump call Xi told Trump that "Taiwan's return to China is an integral part of the post‑war international order" — a point Trump did not include in his public post — and Beijing has since mounted diplomatic and economic pressure on Japan, including UN protest letters, halted seafood imports, a travel advisory and canceled cultural events, amid tensions sparked by Takaichi's earlier remarks about a potential Chinese blockade of Taiwan.
📌 Key Facts
- China is mounting a coordinated diplomatic push to isolate Japan over the Taiwan dispute and has sought backing from the United States, the United Kingdom and France.
- Beijing has sent two protest letters to the United Nations and taken punitive steps against Japan, including halting seafood imports, issuing a travel advisory and canceling cultural events.
- The immediate spat traces to comments by Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Nov. 7 that a Chinese naval blockade of Taiwan could be considered an existential threat to Japan under 2015 security laws; she later pledged to avoid hypothetical Taiwan scenarios.
- In a Nov. 24 call with Donald Trump, Xi Jinping told Trump that 'Taiwan's return to China is an integral part of the post-war international order.'
- Trump’s public post about the Nov. 24 call with Xi made no mention of Taiwan.
📊 Relevant Data
In December 2024, 63.4% of Taiwanese people identified as Taiwanese only, 2.4% as Chinese only, and 31.0% as both, according to National Chengchi University polls.
Opinion polling on Taiwanese identity — Wikipedia
In a 2024 Pew Research survey, 83% of Taiwanese adults under the age of 35 identified as solely Taiwanese, compared to lower percentages in older age groups.
In Taiwan, most identify as Taiwanese, few as primarily Chinese — Pew Research Center
According to a February 2025 Taiwan Public Opinion Foundation poll, only 3.1% of Taiwanese strongly support unification with China, while more than a quarter strongly support independence.
Taiwan Public Opinion Foundation - Special Report: Taiwanese Preferences on Political Future — Taiwan Public Opinion Foundation
From January to September 2025, Taiwan recorded over 4000 Chinese military incursions into its Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).
From January to September 2025, Taiwan recorded over 4000 Chinese incursions into its ADIZ — Facebook - TaiwanPlus News
Taiwan's population is approximately 23.36 million as of April 2025, with 95-97% being Han Taiwanese (including Hoklo 70%, Hakka 15%, waishengren 10%), 2.3% indigenous peoples, and about 3.48% foreign residents.
Demographics of Taiwan — Wikipedia
Taiwan was a Japanese colony from 1895 to 1945, after which it was retroceded to the Republic of China; the People's Republic of China, founded in 1949, has never governed Taiwan.
Political status of Taiwan — Wikipedia
📊 Analysis & Commentary (1)
"The WSJ commentary argues that after Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi’s Taiwan remarks, China has escalated beyond military moves to revive subtle, informal economic coercion—harder to detect and manage—urging governments and companies to recognize and prepare for these coercive tactics."
📰 Sources (2)
- China is mounting a coordinated diplomatic push to isolate Japan over Taiwan, seeking support from the U.S., U.K., and France.
- In the Nov. 24 Xi–Trump call, Xi told Trump that 'Taiwan's return to China is an integral part of the post-war international order'; Trump’s public post about the call did not mention Taiwan.
- Beijing has sent two protest letters to the United Nations and taken punitive steps against Japan, including halting seafood imports, issuing a travel advisory, and canceling cultural events.
- Context of the spat: On Nov. 7, PM Sanae Takaichi told Japan’s parliament a Chinese naval blockade of Taiwan could be considered an existential threat to Japan under 2015 security laws; she later pledged to avoid hypothetical Taiwan scenarios.