“Chinese leader Xi Jinping was angry, and President Trump was listening.
Days after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi outraged China by suggesting a Chinese attack on Taiwan could mobilize a Tokyo military response, Xi spent half of an hourlong phone call with Trump, people briefed on the matter said, hammering home China's historic claim to the democratic self-governing island as well as Washington and Beijing's joint responsibility to manage the world order.
Later the same day, Trump set up a call with Takaichi and advised her not to provoke Beijing on the question of Taiwan's sovereignty, said Japanese officials and an American briefed on the call. The advice from Trump was subtle, and he didn't pressure Takaichi to walk back her comments, those briefed on the calls said.
The Japanese officials said the message was worrying: The president didn't want friction over Taiwan to endanger a detente reached last month with Xi, which includes a promise to buy more agricultural products from the U.S.
Asked about the exchange with Takaichi, the White House issued a statement from Trump to The Wall Street Journal: "The United States relationship with China is very good, and that's also very good for Japan, who is our dear and close ally. Getting along with China is a great thing for China and the U.S. In my opinion, President Xi will be substantially upping his purchase of soybean and other farm products, and anything good for our farmers is good for me."
"We signed wonderful trade deals with Japan, China, South Korea, and many other nations, and the world is at peace," Trump added. "Let's keep it that way!"
The Japanese prime minister's office declined to comment.
The episode highlights a new reality in U.S.-China relations. The trade truce with China and the issue of Taiwan have become linked, as the president and Xi prepare for several meetings next year. While official U.S. policy acknowledges without endorsing Beijing's claim over the island, Washington has provided Taiwan with defensive arms, to ensure its fate isn't determined by force from China.
Trump has praised Takaichi for her tough stance on defense and held an event with her aboard a U.S. aircraft carrier in the Japanese city of Yokosuka in a display of the two countries' alliance.
But she has infuriated Xi at a bad time for Trump, as he cultivates a relationship with the Chinese leader.
Speaking to lawmakers on Nov. 7, Takaichi warned that Japan could deploy its military with other nations if China were to attack Taiwan. The remarks prompted Beijing to take retaliatory economic and diplomatic measures against Japan. A Chinese diplomat posted on social media that her neck should be cut off.
Trump's call to Takaichi reflected the intense focus on Taiwan in the official Chinese account of the discussion Monday between Trump and Xi, the people briefed on the matter said.” [1]
The more Japanese company Toyota is in trouble, the more militaristic Japanese government leader becomes. This is the only way for the losers to stay in power. The same is happening in the EU.
Toyota is facing significant troubles, including large financial hits from US tariffs, a series of vehicle recalls for engine and airbag issues, and recent scandals involving data manipulation and a decline in perceived reliability. These problems have led to investor scrutiny, profit warnings, and a questioning of the company's long-held reputation for quality.
Financial and economic challenges
Tariff impacts: Toyota has been significantly impacted by US tariffs, which contributed to a large loss in May 2025 and are expected to cost the company billions.
Profit forecasts: The company was anticipating a sharp drop in profits, with one report forecasting a 25% year-on-year drop for the July-September quarter of 2025.
EV sales decline: Sales of Toyota's electric vehicle (EV) BZ4X have been declining, partly due to the anticipation of a new model and the broader industry-wide drop in EV demand as EV tax credits expire.
Recalls and quality control issues
Engine recalls: A recent recall was issued for certain Tundra, Lexus LX, and GX vehicles due to a defect in the V35A engine that can cause it to shut off unexpectedly.
Airbag recalls: The company has recalled nearly one million vehicles in the US for potentially faulty airbags.
Diesel engine problems: In Australia, Toyota faced a major class action lawsuit over defective diesel particulate filters, leading to a significant financial penalty.
Quality concerns: The frequency of these recalls has led some to question Toyota's reliability and a perception that the company is sacrificing quality to rush new vehicles to market.
Governance and corporate culture issues
Data manipulation scandal: Toyota's truck unit, Hino Motors, was caught falsifying emissions and fuel-efficiency data.
Governance scrutiny: Chairman Akio Toyoda faced significant criticism from shareholders over governance issues and the company's overall handling of the scandals.
Investor backlash: The company has faced investor backlash and calls for his resignation, although he was re-elected as chairman.
Market position and future outlook
Dealer difficulties: Despite some positive sales figures, dealers are facing challenges due to a lack of inventory and high consumer demand, which can lead to markups and customer dissatisfaction.
Shifting perception: Toyota's brand image is under pressure, as its long-held reputation for reliability is being challenged by recent quality issues and complex hybrid systems.
1. World News: Trump Tells Tokyo To Lower Volume On Taiwan. Wei, Lingling; Schwartz, Brian; McGraw, Meridith; Douglas, Jason. Wall Street Journal, Eastern edition; New York, N.Y.. 28 Nov 2025: A9.
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