TAIPEI (TVBS News) — In a closely monitored diplomatic exchange that could signal shifting geopolitical dynamics in East Asia, U.S. President Donald Trump held a telephone conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) on Friday (June 6), notably omitting any direct reference to Taiwan in his subsequent public statements. Karen Kuo (郭雅慧), spokesperson for Taiwan's Presidential Office, confirmed that the high-level discussion primarily centered on bilateral trade relations and cooperation to combat fentanyl trafficking — two persistent friction points between the world's largest economies. Kuo emphasized that Taiwan's democratic government supports constructive dialogue between Washington and Beijing while reaffirming the island's commitment to maintaining its robust unofficial relationship with the United States to advance shared interests in regional stability and economic development.
The Taiwanese spokesperson elaborated on the administration's position, noting that officials in Taipei had been briefed on the substantive elements of the Trump-Xi conversation regarding trade negotiations and collaborative efforts to address the synthetic opioid crisis. Kuo articulated Taiwan's endorsement of diplomatic initiatives that contribute to regional stability — a carefully worded statement that implicitly referenced concerns about China's growing military assertiveness in the Taiwan Strait and broader Indo-Pacific region. Without directly naming China, her reference to "authoritarian expansion risks" reflected Taiwan's persistent concerns about Beijing's territorial ambitions. The spokesperson underscored that Taiwan's government would maintain continuous and comprehensive communication channels with American counterparts as the U.S.-China relationship evolves, ensuring Taiwan's interests remain protected during any bilateral negotiations.
The stark contrast between American and Chinese readouts of the call became apparent when China Central Television (央視, CCTV), Beijing's primary state-controlled broadcaster, released its version of the conversation. According to the Chinese media account, President Xi adopted a significantly more assertive tone regarding Taiwan than was reflected in U.S. statements, explicitly cautioning President Trump to exercise prudence when dealing with what Beijing considers its "internal affairs." The Chinese leader reportedly issued warnings about what he characterized as "Taiwan independence" forces, suggesting they could trigger a dangerous confrontation between the nuclear-armed powers. The CCTV report also highlighted diplomatic courtesies exchanged during the call, with Xi extending a formal invitation for Trump and First Lady Melania Trump to visit China, and the American president responding with a reciprocal invitation, both leaders acknowledging the diplomatic value of face-to-face presidential meetings. ◼