China Warns U.S.—Don’t ‘Play With Fire’ Over Taiwan—After Biden-Xi Call

Topline

As tensions over Taiwan simmer, President Joe Biden reiterated to Chinese President Xi Jinping during a Thursday phone call that the U.S. hasn’t changed its position on Taiwan, according to readouts from both countries–including an ominous report of the conversation from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Key Facts

The U.S. must not support Taiwan’s independence because “those who play with fire will perish by it,” according to the Chinese readout, which stated that Biden affirmed he doesn’t support Taiwan’s independence.

The Biden Administration has previously made clear it doesn’t support Taiwan’s independence—which has long been U.S. policy—but a reported upcoming trip to Taiwan from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has stoked further tension between the U.S. and China recently.

Biden emphasized that U.S. policy toward Taiwan’s independence has not changed in the call, the White House said, clarifying that Biden actually said he “strongly opposes unilateral efforts to change the status quo.”

The call lasted 137 minutes, beginning at 8:33 a.m. and ending at 10:50 a.m., according to the White House.

This is Biden and Xi’s first phone call since March, and the fifth since Biden took office in January 2021.

Key Background

Chinese officials have threatened severe consequences should Pelosi go to Taiwan, and the U.S. may send fighter jets and other military preparations to the Indo-Pacific region for Pelosi’s protection, unnamed officials told the Associated Press on Wednesday. Pelosi’s possible Taiwan visit has the backing of many Republicans, and she has reportedly invited several Republican lawmakers to accompany her on the trip. China’s cozying up to Russia following the latter’s invasion of Ukraine has also contributed to greater U.S.-China tensions. The U.S. and Taiwan do not have official diplomatic ties, though the State Department says the two have a “robust unofficial relationship.”

What To Watch For

If China enacts another round of stringent Covid-19 lockdowns amid rising cases in the country. China’s Covid situation presents a risk for the global economy, Moody’s Analytics economist Tim Uy told Forbes last week. Tesla CEO Elon Musk said on an earnings call last week that lockdowns in China have contributed to “supply-chain hell” for the automaker.

Further Reading

China’s Domestic Troubles Will Hang Over Biden-Xi Call (New York Times)

Empty threats? Fears grow as China fumes over possible Pelosi visit to Taiwan (NBC News)

New China Covid-19 Lockdowns Would Threaten U.S. Economic Recovery (Just Ask Tesla) (Forbes)