Amid escalating tensions between Japan and China over remarks related to Taiwan, US President Donald Trump urged Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to avoid further inflaming the dispute, according to a Reuters report.
The diplomatic row erupted after Takaichi told lawmakers that a Chinese attack on Taiwan threatening Japan’s survival could justify a military response — comments that provoked one of the sharpest Japan–China clashes in years.
Reuters, citing two Japanese government sources, reported that Trump conveyed in a Tuesday phone call that he did not want to see the situation escalate. The call took place shortly after Trump’s conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
In a statement issued by the White House, Trump said, “The United States’ relationship with China is very good, and that’s also very good for Japan, who is our dear and close ally. We signed wonderful trade deals with Japan, China, South Korea, and many other nations, and the world is at peace. Let’s keep it that way!”
China’s foreign ministry demanded Tokyo retract Takaichi’s comments, while Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara defended them as consistent with longstanding policy. He reiterated that Tokyo remains committed to a peaceful, dialogue-based resolution to issues concerning Taiwan.
Beijing maintains that Taiwan is part of its territory and has not ruled out using force to bring the island under its control — a position Taiwan rejects.
The row intensified after a Chinese diplomat in Japan posted a threatening remark about Takaichi on social media. Japan lodged a strong protest, but Chinese state media continued attacking the prime minister, with Xinhua accusing her of “summoning Japan’s militarist demons.”
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