Trump, Xi Discuss Trade and Taiwan in Phone Call – Feb. 5, 2026
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke by phone ahead of Trump’s April visit to Beijing, with the US focused on trade and China urging caution over arms sales to Taiwan. More than 50 countries have joined US-led talks on a critical minerals alliance aimed at reducing reliance on China, which dominates the global rare earths market. And Taiwan has called China’s plan to resume Shanghai travel to two outlying Taiwanese islands a “political stunt,” noting it was announced as a senior opposition figure met with top Communist Party officials in Beijing. Plus: - TSMC plans to make advanced 3-nanometer semiconductors at a plant in Japan, advancing Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae’s push to boost domestic chip production. - Taiwan plans to acquire more naval vessels as maritime tensions with China ratchet up. - An exhibition in Taipei brings together leading Taiwanese recycling and construction firms, showcasing how waste materials like broken concrete can be reused in new buildings.
