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Friday, May 15, 2026

Trump Warns Taiwan Against Declaring Independence Hours After Xi Summit

Xi Trump Summit Taiwan: US President Donald Trump has cautioned Taiwan against formally declaring independence from China, underscoring Washington’s continued balancing act between supporting Taipei and maintaining stable ties with Beijing. Speaking to Fox News after wrapping up a two-day summit in Beijing with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Trump said, “I’m not looking to have somebody go independent,” indicating his preference for preserving the current cross-strait status quo, as per reports. Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has previously argued that a formal declaration is unnecessary because Taiwan already considers itself sovereign. While the United States remains legally bound to assist Taiwan’s defense, Washington officially recognizes only one Chinese government and has historically stopped short of openly backing Taiwanese independence. <h3>Questions Over US Military Commitment</h3> Trump said he had made “no commitment either way” regarding the possibility of defending Taiwan militarily in the event of conflict. Acknowledging Beijing’s firm stance against independence movements, he suggested that all parties should “cool down” tensions surrounding the issue. The remarks reflect a long-running strategic ambiguity in US policy toward Taiwan. Washington has continued supplying defensive support to the island while attempting to avoid direct confrontation with China over sovereignty claims. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JWqPqDJWqiw?si=I_lXJ-qFvA8yZvqp" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> ALSO READ: <a title="India Sounds Alarm Of Hormuz Risks At BRICS Meet In Presence Of Iran And UAE" href="https://ift.tt/QSqyMi8" target="_self">India Sounds Alarm Of Hormuz Risks At BRICS Meet In Presence Of Iran And UAE</a> Beijing has repeatedly criticized Taiwan’s leadership, with Chinese officials labeling Lai a “troublemaker” and accusing him of escalating instability across the Taiwan Strait. Despite growing Taiwanese identity on the island, public opinion in Taiwan largely favors maintaining the current arrangement rather than pursuing either formal independence or reunification with China. <h3>Trade Deals & Energy Security Also Featured in Summit</h3> Alongside geopolitical discussions, the summit produced several economic announcements. Trump claimed China had agreed to purchase 200 Boeing aircraft in addition to increasing imports of American oil and soybeans. He described the arrangements as “fantastic trade deals,” although detailed terms were not immediately disclosed. ALSO READ: <a title="India To Build 30-Million-Barrel Strategic Oil Reserve In UAE, Boosting National Stockpile By 70%" href="https://ift.tt/CeFHumG" target="_self">India To Build 30-Million-Barrel Strategic Oil Reserve In UAE, Boosting National Stockpile By 70%</a> On Iran, Trump said Xi assured him that Beijing was not supplying military support to Tehran. China, meanwhile, issued a statement stressing the importance of restoring safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital corridor for global oil shipments that has become increasingly sensitive amid regional tensions.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/xi-summit-trump-warns-taiwan-against-declaring-independence-hours-beijing-us-china-1843935

Iran Has ‘No Trust’ In US, Says Araghchi As Trump Grows Impatient With Ceasefire Talks

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Friday that Tehran has “no trust” in the United States and would only engage in negotiations if Washington demonstrated genuine seriousness about reaching a settlement. His remarks came as efforts to secure a lasting peace agreement following last month’s ceasefire remained stalled. Speaking to reporters during a visit to New Delhi for the BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting, Araghchi said the situation surrounding the Strait of Hormuz remained highly sensitive and complex. The strategically crucial waterway is central to global oil and commodity shipments, carrying nearly a fifth of the world’s seaborne energy supplies under normal conditions. Araghchi also stated that vessels could continue passing through the Strait of Hormuz, provided they were not “at war” with Iran and coordinated movements with the Iranian navy. Tehran had effectively restricted most shipping activity through the strait after the United States and Israel launched military operations against Iran in February. <h2>Hormuz Strait Remains at Centre of Global Concern</h2> In a post on X, Araghchi said he had informed External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar that Iran would continue to fulfil what he described as its “historical duty” of protecting security in the Strait of Hormuz. The narrow maritime corridor remains one of the world’s most strategically important trade routes, and disruptions there have raised fears across international energy and financial markets. While Tehran has signalled willingness to restore normal shipping conditions, uncertainty surrounding negotiations has kept tensions elevated. Araghchi expressed hope that diplomatic progress would eventually allow the full normalisation of traffic through the strait. He said Iran wanted the waterway to become “completely secured” once negotiations advanced towards a satisfactory conclusion. ALSO READ |  <h2>Pakistan-Mediated Talks Face Fresh Obstacles</h2> Talks between Washington and Tehran, mediated by Pakistan, have struggled to gain momentum after both sides rejected each other’s latest proposals last week. Although a ceasefire was announced last month, efforts to turn the fragile truce into a long-term agreement have faced repeated setbacks. Araghchi said “contradictory messages” from the United States had deepened Iranian doubts over Washington’s true intentions. However, he insisted the mediation process itself had not collapsed and described the negotiations as being in “difficulty” rather than entirely broken down. The Iranian foreign minister also pointed to a history of interrupted diplomacy, noting that two previous rounds of talks over the past 13 months were cut short after the United States and Israel launched air strike campaigns against Iran. <h2>Iran Signals Readiness for Diplomacy and Conflict</h2> Despite the stalled negotiations, Araghchi said Iran was continuing to support the current ceasefire in order to give diplomacy a chance. At the same time, he warned that Tehran remained prepared to resume fighting if necessary. Among the key sticking points in negotiations are Iran’s nuclear ambitions and Tehran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz. Both issues remain highly contentious and central to ongoing discussions between the two countries. Just hours before Araghchi’s comments, US President Donald Trump said his patience with Iran was “running out”. Trump also revealed that he had discussed the issue with Chinese President Xi Jinping and that both leaders agreed Tehran must reopen the strait fully. ALSO READ |  <h2>Iran Welcomes China’s Diplomatic Role</h2> When asked whether Iran would support mediation efforts by Beijing, Araghchi welcomed any country capable of helping move diplomacy forward. “We have very good relations with China,” he said, describing the two countries as strategic partners. He added that Tehran believed China had “good intentions” and would welcome any constructive effort aimed at easing tensions and advancing negotiations. Araghchi reiterated that Iran hoped diplomatic efforts would ultimately lead to a stable resolution, allowing security to return fully to the Strait of Hormuz and enabling normal maritime traffic to resume without disruption.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/us-iran-ceasefire-iran-has-no-trust-in-us-says-araghchi-as-trump-grows-impatient-with-ceasefire-talks-1843924

Trump returns from China visit, calls meeting with Xi 'G-2'

Washington, May 16 (PTI): US President Donald Trump returned from a visit to China, describing his discussions with President Xi Jinping as a meeting between the leaders of two great countries.Trump landed at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Friday evening, claiming to have secured significant trade agreements, including the sale of 200 aircraft from Boeing to China, with a promise for an additional 750. He also highlighted a commitment to support the American agriculture sector.The US President made a brief refuelling stop in Anchorage, Alaska, before returning.In an interview with Fox News following his meeting with Xi on Thursday, Trump said, "It's the two great countries. I call it the G-2. I think it'll go down as a very important moment in history." The Washington Post reported that Trump's remarks put China on an equal footing with the US, which was a goal Xi had sought to achieve during the visit."Over two days of meetings here, the carefully choreographed pageantry and the reciprocal gestures of friendship and respect between the world’s two most powerful men displayed a geopolitical dynamic that the Chinese have long craved and Americans had resisted," the Post said.Trump told Fox News that the relationship with Xi was important and suggested that China may not resort to any aggressive moves over Taiwan, at least till he is in office."It's not a takeover. They just don't want to see this place — we'll call it a place because nobody knows how to define it — but they don't want to see it go independent," Trump said."I don't think they'll do anything when I'm here. When I'm not here. I think they might, to be honest with you," Trump said."I want them to cool down. I want China to cool down. We're not looking to have wars, and if you kept it the way it is, I think China's going to be OK with that," Trump stated.The US President also informed that he had invited Xi to visit Washington in September. PTI SKU MPL MPL(This story is published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. No editing has been done in the headline or the body by ABP Live.)

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/trump-returns-from-china-visit-calls-meeting-with-xi-g-2-1843922

PM Modi arrives in Netherlands on second leg of five-nation tour

Amsterdam, May 15 (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the Netherlands on Friday on the second leg of his five-nation tour, during which he will hold talks with his Dutch counterpart Rob Jetten to further deepen bilateral cooperation in areas such as trade, technology, defence and renewable energy. PM Modi was received at the airport by Rear Admiral Ludger Brummelaar, Adjutant-General and Chief of the Military Household of His Majesty the King; Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen; and India’s Ambassador to the Netherlands Kumar Tuhin, along with other senior officials of the Dutch government. “Landed in Amsterdam. This visit to the Netherlands comes at a time when the India-EU Free Trade Agreement has given a major impetus to trade and investment linkages,” the prime minister said in a social media post soon after his arrival. “It offers an opportunity to deepen relations in areas like semiconductors, water, clean energy and more,” he added. Modi said he would hold talks with Prime Minister Jetten and call on King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima. The prime ministry also said he looked forward to addressing a community programme during the visit. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, in a social media post, said the visit would provide an "opportunity to further strengthen the multifaceted India-Netherlands partnership and to engage with the largest Indian diaspora on mainland Europe". Modi arrived in the Netherlands after a brief stopover of around two-and-a-half hours in the United Arab Emirates, where he held talks with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi. The PM's visit to the European nation from May 15 to 17 is his second trip to the country after his 2017 visit and comes at what officials described as an "important juncture" in India-Netherlands ties. Modi is also expected to interact with leading Dutch business leaders during the visit. MEA officials said the visit carries a “rich and substantive agenda” and is expected to consolidate the strategic dimensions of the partnership that have emerged through sustained engagement between the two countries. India and the Netherlands have significantly expanded cooperation in recent years beyond traditional sectors such as trade, investment and the priority areas of water, agriculture and health. The partnership has grown in strategic sectors, including technology, innovation, defence, security, semiconductors, renewable energy, education and the maritime domain, the MEA said. The Netherlands is one of India’s largest trade destinations in Europe, with bilateral trade valued at USD 27.8 billion in 2024-25. It is also India’s fourth-largest investor, with cumulative foreign direct investment amounting to USD 55.6 billion, officials said. People-to-people ties remain a key pillar of the bilateral relationship. The Netherlands is home to more than 90,000 non-resident Indians and persons of Indian origin, besides over 200,000 members of the Suriname-Hindustani community. Around 3,500 Indian students are currently enrolled in Dutch universities. Officials noted that Modi's visit to the Netherlands and three other European nations -- Sweden, Norway, and Italy -- comes against the backdrop of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement finalised earlier this year and the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement signed in 2025. PTI SCY SCY(This story is published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. No editing has been done in the headline or the body by ABP Live.)

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/pm-modi-arrives-in-netherlands-on-second-leg-of-five-nation-tour-1843918

Thursday, May 14, 2026

‘100% Correct’: Trump Agrees With Xi’s ‘Declining Nation’ Remark, Says It Referred To Biden Era

Trump Xi summit: Donald Trump on Friday sought to reinterpret comments made by his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping about the United States allegedly being in decline, arguing that the Chinese leader was referring specifically to the period under former President Joe Biden rather than America under his own administration. Posting on Truth Social ahead of the second day of his summit with Xi in Beijing, Trump defended America’s current global position while once again criticizing Biden’s presidency. “When President Xi very elegantly referred to the United States as perhaps being a declining nation, he was pointing to the tremendous damage inflicted during the four years of Sleepy Joe Biden and the Biden administration, and on that score, he was 100% correct,” Trump wrote. <h3>Xi’s Taiwan Warning Overshadowed Summit</h3> It remains unclear whether Trump was referring to private discussions with Xi or public remarks made during the summit. During Thursday’s opening meetings in Beijing, Xi did not publicly describe the United States as a “declining nation.” However, he strongly warned Washington against mishandling the Taiwan issue, calling it the most sensitive point in US-China relations. Xi also referenced the “Thucydides Trap,” a geopolitical theory suggesting that conflict can arise when a rising power challenges an established global power. The concept was popularised by Harvard academic Graham Allison and traces back to the writings of ancient Greek historian Thucydides. According to Chinese accounts of the meeting, Xi warned that disagreement over Taiwan could push bilateral relations toward “clashes and even conflicts.” ALSO READ: <a title="Indian-Flagged Ship Sinks After Drone Strikes Near Strait Of Hormuz" href="https://ift.tt/3K9Mr75" target="_self">Indian-Flagged Ship Sinks After Drone Strikes Near Strait Of Hormuz</a> <h3>Trump Highlights Economic Gains and Military Strength</h3> Soon after Trump’s social media post, the White House amplified his remarks and repeated criticism of the Biden administration. Trump argued that the United States had experienced what he called an “incredible rise” during the first 16 months of his presidency. He pointed to strong stock market performance, job growth, foreign investment, military capabilities, and global influence as proof of America’s resurgence. In his lengthy statement, Trump claimed Xi had praised several of his administration’s achievements and insisted the Chinese leader was not referring to his presidency when discussing American decline. “Two years ago, we were, in fact, a nation in decline. But now, the United States is the hottest nation anywhere in the world,” Trump wrote. He also predicted that ties between Washington and Beijing could become “stronger and better than ever before.” ALSO READ: <a title="BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meet Sparks Optimism For A Productive Summit" href="https://ift.tt/4BMwp2U" target="_self">BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meet Sparks Optimism For A Productive Summit</a> <h3>Beijing Summit Focuses on Trade, Taiwan and Global Stability</h3> The high-profile summit between Trump and Xi has focused heavily on trade, Taiwan, Iran, and broader strategic competition between the world’s two largest economies. While both leaders publicly adopted a relatively conciliatory tone, tensions over Taiwan remained central to the discussions. Xi urged cooperation and cautioned against confrontation, whereas Trump emphasized economic growth and renewed American strength. Observers noted that although the summit produced warm optics and optimistic rhetoric, major disagreements between the two powers remain unresolved.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/trump-xi-summit-us-declining-nation-remark-by-china-referred-to-biden-era-100-correct-taiwan-1843708

Trump, Xi To Wrap Up Two-Day Beijing Summit Amid Taiwan Tensions, Iran Truce And Trade Deals

U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to conclude a two-day state visit on Friday, bringing an end to talks dominated by trade negotiations, diplomatic symbolism and renewed tensions over Taiwan. The visit, Trump’s first to China since his 2017 trip, comes at a politically sensitive moment for the U.S. president, who is seeking concrete foreign policy wins ahead of key midterm elections amid falling approval ratings. While both sides projected optimism about stabilising ties, Xi also issued a pointed warning that mishandling the Taiwan issue could severely damage relations between the world’s two largest economies. Trump and Xi are scheduled to meet for tea and lunch before the U.S. president departs for Washington. Early on Friday, Trump struck an upbeat tone in a post on Truth Social, writing: “Hopefully our relationship with China will be stronger and better than ever before!” <h2>Trade Truce Holds as Both Sides Signal Progress</h2> A major focus of the summit has been preserving the fragile trade truce agreed upon during the leaders’ previous meeting in October. At the time, Trump suspended steep tariffs on Chinese imports, while Xi stepped back from measures that could have disrupted global supplies of critical rare earth materials. The agreement helped cool tensions after months of economic uncertainty between the two nations. Speaking on Thursday, Xi said negotiations had produced “balanced and positive outcomes”, though he stopped short of providing specific details on the agreements reached during the latest round of discussions. ALSO READ | <a href="https://ift.tt/z4L9DG2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">200 Boeing Jets For China: Trump Hails Mega Aviation Deal During Beijing Visit</a> <h2>Boeing Deal and Farm Purchases Emerge as Key Outcomes</h2> U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on Friday that both countries had made progress on several commercial agreements, although it remains unclear whether the current trade truce will be extended once it expires later this year. Greer told Bloomberg TV that China had firmed up plans to purchase American farm products, beef and Boeing aircraft. He also said the two countries were working on mechanisms to better manage future bilateral trade relations. According to Trump, China has agreed to order 200 Boeing commercial jets, marking its first purchase of U.S.-made passenger aircraft in nearly a decade. The deal could provide a major boost to Boeing at a time when the aerospace giant has been seeking to revive international demand. <h2>Taiwan Issue Casts Shadow Over Diplomatic Optics</h2> Despite the positive messaging around trade, Taiwan remained a sensitive topic throughout the summit. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who accompanied Trump on the trip, acknowledged that Chinese officials repeatedly raised the issue during discussions. Rubio stressed that Washington’s policy towards Taiwan had not changed. “The Chinese always raise it ... we always make clear our position and we move on to the other topics,” Rubio told NBC News. Trump declined to answer shouted questions from reporters about whether Taiwan had been discussed while posing with Xi at Beijing’s Temple of Heaven, a UNESCO World Heritage site that served as a backdrop for part of the visit. At Thursday evening’s lavish state banquet, Xi described the China-U.S. relationship as the most important bilateral relationship in the world and warned against allowing tensions to spiral. “We must make it work and never mess it up,” the Chinese leader said. ALSO READ | <a href="https://ift.tt/3K9Mr75" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Indian-Flagged Ship Sinks After Drone Strikes Near Strait Of Hormuz</a> <h2>Jimmy Lai Case Raised During Talks</h2> The issue of jailed Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai also surfaced during the visit. Rubio said Trump personally raised Lai’s case with Xi. Lai, one of Hong Kong’s most prominent critics of Beijing, was sentenced in February to 20 years in prison on charges including conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and publishing seditious material. “The president always raises that case and a couple others, and obviously we’ll hope to get a positive response from that,” Rubio said in an interview with NBC News. China has consistently rejected foreign criticism over the matter. A spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry previously said Hong Kong affairs are an internal issue for China.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/trump-china-visit-live-updates-donald-trump-xi-jinping-beijing-summit-amid-taiwan-tensions-iran-truce-1843701

200 Boeing Jets For China: Trump Hails Mega Aviation Deal During Beijing Visit

US President Donald Trump has said China will place an order for 200 Boeing aircraft as part of efforts to support American manufacturing jobs and strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries. Speaking to Fox News host Sean Hannity during his visit to Beijing, Trump said the agreement would provide a major boost to the US aerospace sector. The announcement came as Trump held high-level meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping amid renewed efforts by both nations to stabilise bilateral ties despite ongoing geopolitical and trade tensions. <h2>Boeing Deal</h2> Trump said the proposed aircraft purchase would help secure manufacturing jobs in the United States and strengthen commercial ties between Washington and Beijing. The CEO of Boeing and more than a dozen senior corporate executives accompanied Trump during the Beijing visit, underlining the economic significance of the trip. The announcement comes at a time when Boeing is seeking to expand international demand and recover from a series of production and regulatory challenges in recent years. While details of the proposed deal were not immediately disclosed, the scale of the order would mark one of the largest aviation purchases involving China and a US manufacturer. Also Read: <a href="https://news.abplive.com/explainers/trump-xi-summit-why-taiwan-remains-a-flashpoint-between-china-and-the-us-republic-of-china-1843582">Trump-Xi Summit: Why Taiwan Remains A Flashpoint Between China And The US?</a> <h2>Xi’s Conciliatory Tone</h2> During a state banquet in Beijing, Xi adopted a notably warm tone while speaking about US-China relations. The Chinese President said China’s “great rejuvenation” and Trump’s “Make America Great Again” agenda could progress together if both countries worked towards a stable relationship. Xi described ties between the world’s two largest economies as the most important bilateral relationship of the modern era and warned that both sides “must make it work and never mess it up”. He repeatedly stressed the importance of cooperation over confrontation and said China and the United States should act as partners rather than rivals. Trump responded by inviting Xi to visit the White House on September 24 and highlighted the long historical relationship between the American and Chinese people. “The world is a special world with the two of us united and together,” Trump said during the banquet, while praising shared values such as hard work, courage and achievement. Also Read: <a href="https://news.abplive.com/news/world/trump-china-visit-live-updates-xi-draws-red-line-on-taiwan-warns-of-conflict-xi-trump-meeting-1843511">Xi Draws Red Line On Taiwan In Trump Meeting, Warns Of Conflict If Issue Is Mishandled</a>

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/200-boeing-jets-for-china-trump-hails-mega-aviation-deal-during-beijing-visit-1843689