Key facts
- Trump urged Xi to talk to Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
- Trump asked Xi to lift China's export curbs on Japan.
- Trump relayed Xi's criticisms of Japan's security stance to Takaichi.
- Trump met with Takaichi on Sept. 22 and spoke with Xi on Sept. 24.
- China banned rare earth mineral exports to Japan after Takaichi's remarks on Taiwan.
U.S. President Donald Trump urged Chinese President Xi Jinping to engage in direct dialogue with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and to remove China's export restrictions on Japan, according to sources familiar with the discussions. The appeal was made during their meeting in Washington last month.
People who spoke to the South China Morning Post indicated that Xi also warned Trump about the increasing risks associated with Japanese militarism during their summit. Trump subsequently relayed Xi's criticisms of Japan's actions concerning East Asian security to Takaichi during a phone call two days after his meeting with Xi. Trump reportedly described Takaichi as a "strong leader" and encouraged Xi to speak with her directly.