Trump Urges Japan to Ease Tensions with China Amid Taiwan Dispute. U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly asked Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to ease rhetoric in the ongoing dispute with China during a call this week following her remarks suggesting a Chinese attack on Taiwan could prompt Japanese military action. Beijing condemned her statement, which Takaichi has not retracted. Trump, aiming to protect a fragile U.S.-China trade truce, did not make specific demands but encouraged restraint. The call came shortly after Trump spoke with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, who reiterated Taiwan's "return to China" as part of Beijing's global vision. Taiwan rejects this claim. China has called on the U.S. to restrain Japan and prevent "reviving militarism," while the White House emphasized strong U.S.-China relations as beneficial for Japan and regional stability. Japan's office provided no additional comment beyond noting discussions on U.S.-China ties.