US President Donald Trump is expected to speak to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Tuesday morning, as tensions between China and Japan continue to escalate over Takaichi’s remarks over the Taiwan contingency.
Advertisement
Takaichi was reported to be making final arrangements to hold a telephone conversation with Trump, after a request from the White House, according to the Fuji News Network, citing multiple government sources.
04:47
Why have Takaichi’s Taiwan comments sent China-Japan ties into a tailspin?
Why have Takaichi’s Taiwan comments sent China-Japan ties into a tailspin?
News of the impending call came shortly after the phone conversation overnight between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, with the Taiwan issue forming one of the major talking points.
Japanese media reported that Trump would be likely to explain his phone call with Xi to Takaichi.
Trump noted in the call that “the US understands how important the Taiwan question is to China”, according to a readout released by Chinese state news agency Xinhua.
Advertisement
According to Xinhua, Xi clarified Beijing’s position on the Taiwan issue, emphasising that the reincorporation of the island was a key feature of global relations forged over the past 80 years.