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US-China relations
USDiplomacy

Trump to meet US’ China envoy after call with Japan PM Takaichi as Taiwan drills conclude

Trump and Takaichi telephone conversation reaffirms ‘close coordination’ of US-Japan alliance and hopes of a ‘new chapter’ for partnership

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US President Donald Trump shakes hands with David Perdue during Perdue’s swearing-in ceremony as the US Ambassador to China at the White House in May. The pair are set to meet at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida on Friday. Photo: Reuters
Khushboo Razdanin Washington
US President Donald Trump is meeting US Ambassador to China David Perdue at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida on Friday, rounding off a day of diplomacy that began with a call with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

The engagements come at a delicate moment for the administration as it seeks to align its “America first” regional approach amid a deepening diplomatic rift between Tokyo and Beijing over Taiwan, and following Washington’s recent approval of its largest-ever arms sale to the self-governed island.

Beijing sees Taiwan as part of China, to be reunited by force if necessary. Most countries, including the US and Japan, do not recognise Taiwan as an independent state, but Washington has expressed its opposition to any attempt to take the self-governed island by force and says it’s committed to supplying it with weapons.
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Earlier on Friday, Trump and Takaichi held a 25-minute telephone conversation, during which they reaffirmed the “close coordination” of the US-Japan alliance at the start of the new year.

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People’s Liberation Army holds second day of live-fire exercises around Taiwan

People’s Liberation Army holds second day of live-fire exercises around Taiwan

According to the Japanese leader, the two agreed to finalise plans for her to visit Washington this spring, a trip she described as a “new chapter” for the partnership.

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