Trump Urges Xi to Meet Japanese PM, Lift Export Controls During September Summit

During a September summit in Washington, U.S. President Donald Trump urged Chinese President Xi Jinping to lift export restrictions on Japan and hold direct talks with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, according to Hong Kong's South China Morning Post citing people familiar with the discussions.

Trump stated that China's export controls on Japan—including restrictions on rare earths and other dual-use goods—posed a threat to American industries reliant on Japanese suppliers. He characterized the measures as an indirect violation of the U.S.-China trade truce reached in Busan in October 2025. The U.S. president framed the issue as affecting both American economic interests and broader regional stability.

Xi Jinping, however, showed limited receptiveness to Trump's proposals. According to sources, the Chinese leader insisted that Beijing's dispute with Tokyo should be handled separately from U.S.-China relations and should not affect bilateral ties. Xi also warned Trump of "the growing risks of Japanese militarism," citing concerns about Japan's defense policies.

Sino-Japanese tensions escalated after Japanese PM Takaichi's November 2025 parliamentary remarks suggesting that an attack on Taiwan could trigger a Japanese defense response supporting the United States. China subsequently increased political and economic pressure on Japan, including trade restrictions on critical materials needed for high-tech manufacturing, and has criticized what Beijing terms "neo-militarism" in Tokyo's defense policies.

Takaichi had previously sought a bilateral meeting with Xi on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum summit scheduled for November in Shenzhen. China rejected this request and instead proposed a meeting between Takaichi and Premier Li Qiang, China's second-ranked leader. Japan signaled that arrangement was unacceptable. Despite the diplomatic impasse, both countries have expressed willingness to maintain communication and pursue economic cooperation.