Story perspectives

Trump, Xi Meet; Japan Hit With Trade Curbs, Security Warning

5/25/2026

Summary

Trump Presses Japan

On May 15, U.S. President Donald Trump met Chinese President Xi Jinping after leaving Zhongnanhai Garden in Beijing.
Xi Jinping criticized Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s push to lift limits on military-hardware sales.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi must adopt a tougher security stance because of North Korea.
Beijing imposed trade curbs on Japan and warned citizens against travel after Takaichi’s Taiwan remarks, keeping ties tense.

Summary

Trump Calls Takaichi

President Donald Trump called Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on May 15 after his China visit to brief her on the U.S.–China summit.
A senior Japanese official said the call showed trust in the prime minister and let the United States and Japan display unity to China.
Analysts say Japan will use APEC in China for exchanges and that Trump’s praise of Takaichi reinforces “ironclad” U.S.–Japan alliance despite Chinese trade curbs.

1 of 2

Trump Presses Japan

On May 15, U.S. President Donald Trump met Chinese President Xi Jinping after leaving Zhongnanhai Garden in Beijing.
Xi Jinping criticized Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s push to lift limits on military-hardware sales.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi must adopt a tougher security stance because of North Korea.
Beijing imposed trade curbs on Japan and warned citizens against travel after Takaichi’s Taiwan remarks, keeping ties tense.

1 / 2