TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) said Thursday that relations with the US remain “rock solid” following US President Donald Trump's phone call with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. 

Lai stressed that Trump reaffirmed longstanding US commitments under the Taiwan Relations Act and Six Assurances during close communications with Taipei, per US News. Lai noted that Taiwan's stance remains unchanged amid Beijing's warnings against US involvement in its future.

Trump held a nearly two-hour conversation Wednesday and described it as “excellent” and “very positive” on Truth Social. Taiwan was a key topic, as were Iran, Ukraine, and soybeans, among other subjects, according to the New York Times. 

Trump is scheduled to make a spring trip to China. He noted their last in-person meeting in South Korea in October produced a yearlong trade truce. 

Taiwan's Chinese-language media, including UDN, reported that Xi told Trump the US position on Taiwan is “the most significant issue in China-US relations” and that Beijing “will never permit Taiwan to be separated from China.” Furthermore, Xi urged the US to handle arms sales to Taiwan “with prudence.” 

Experts viewed Xi's remarks as pointed, signaling preparations for direct talks during Trump's April visit to Beijing. Ryan Hass, director of the John L. Thornton China Center, said Xi aimed to set expectations firmly for both domestic and US audiences, NYT reported.

The government has consistently rejected Beijing's claims, with Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) stating Tuesday that “Taiwan is a fully sovereign and independent country.”