Trump–Xi Phone Call: Trump Gains a Double Win, While the CCP’s “Wolf Warrior” Diplomacy Loses Its Bite

On September 19, 2025, during a phone call between Trump and Xi, Trump came away with a double win, while the CCP’s wolf warrior diplomacy was left deflated. (Image by People News)

 [People News] According to reports from the People's Daily, during the call on September 19, both sides publicly discussed topics related to TikTok. Surprisingly, the issue of Taiwan was not mentioned, which has sparked curiosity among observers.

After the call, Trump expressed his satisfaction during an interview in the Oval Office, stating that the conversation lasted nearly two hours and was a 'very good dialogue.' Both sides agreed on the TikTok deal, and progress is proceeding smoothly. China also hopes to see TikTok continue its operations in the United States.

However, at a routine press conference held by the CCP's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, spokesperson Lin Jian responded coldly to questions from global reporters, saying, 'I have no information to provide.'

Clearly, during this call between Chuan and Xi, the CCP did not achieve its desired outcomes, losing both face and substance. In contrast, Trump successfully resolved the long-standing operational issues surrounding TikTok, securing a significant victory.

What surprised many was that the reports from both China and the U.S. did not mention Taiwan. In the past, whenever officials from both sides met, the topic of Taiwan was always included. Taiwan has been like the rope in a tug-of-war, with both sides pulling for decades but never reaching a resolution.

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) invested 36 billion yuan to organise a grand military parade in Beijing. Alongside deploying over 10,000 soldiers to perform in a marching formation, the event also featured a large-scale display of new weaponry, including hypersonic missiles, drones, and laser systems. This effort aims to project the image of a great power, seeking to assert its influence in international affairs, dictate the direction of other nations' issues, and interfere in their internal politics.

During the parade, Xi Jinping delivered a speech highlighting the urgency to build a world-class military and firmly uphold national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Observers interpret this as the CCP not only using the 93rd anniversary parade to 'flex its muscles' before the international community but also as a show of military intimidation towards Taiwan, underscoring the People's Liberation Army's capability to deter U.S. and allied intervention in the Taiwan Strait.

However, just a few days after the CCP showcased its strength and Xi Jinping reiterated the importance of sovereignty and unification, the conversation with the U.S. President surprisingly did not address the Taiwan issue. What is happening here?

At present, the CCP is grappling with a prolonged economic downturn that has drained its treasury. Both central and local governments are not only short on funds but are also burdened with significant debt, while unemployment rates remain stubbornly high. The public is increasingly vocal about its grievances, leading to rising dissatisfaction with the CCP. Even within the military, there are signs of dissent, with calls for collective leadership, putting Xi Jinping, the Chairman of the Military Commission, in a precarious position. Furthermore, Xi's faction is no longer 'absolutely loyal' and is showing passive resistance to a potential conflict in the Taiwan Strait. Consequently, Xi Jinping has been compelled to initiate a major purge within the military, detaining numerous senior generals, even at the risk of compromising the combat readiness of the People's Liberation Army.

Amid a severe economic downturn and a military reluctant to commit, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) faces a dual challenge of financial constraints and a lack of military backing. In its dealings with the formidable United States and Trump, the CCP lacks the leverage for a direct confrontation. Consequently, Xi Jinping has been compelled to acquiesce to U.S. demands, temporarily sidestepping the Taiwan issue and aligning with the U.S. focus on resolving the TikTok situation. It appears that the 36 billion yuan was indeed squandered!

On the eve of the Trump-Xi phone call, on September 18, The Washington Post published an exclusive report revealing that Trump had personally 'shelved' over 400 million in military aid to Taiwan in pursuit of a deal with Xi Jinping.

Commentator Jiang Feng remarked that the news was earth-shattering. The CCP's red media and global propaganda outlets erupted in joy, quickly ramping up their narratives about 'the U.S. abandoning Taiwan' and 'Taiwan being merely a pawn.' However, this is not merely a diversion from Trump; it represents a masterfully orchestrated strategy. What Trump has effectively handed to Taiwan are three razor-sharp, lethal daggers. These daggers are sufficient to silence all advocates of the 'abandon Taiwan' narrative. The Washington Post itself made it clear in the article that just last month, defence officials from both the U.S. and Taiwan conducted a secret meeting in Anchorage, finalising a substantial 'arms sales' plan that could amount to tens of billions of dollars.

Trump has cancelled $400 million in military aid to Taiwan in exchange for Xi Jinping's cooperation in resolving the long-standing TikTok issue. Simultaneously, the United States has decided to sell billions of dollars' worth of advanced weapons to Taiwan. Which option is more advantageous for the United States and Taiwan? Clearly, it is the latter.

In a win-win scenario, Trump, who managed to save face while achieving results, described the conversation in the White House to reporters as a 'very good dialogue.' In contrast, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian responded coldly to reporters' inquiries with, 'I have no information to provide.' What has happened to the wolf warrior diplomacy this time? Where has the previously aggressive stance gone?

(First published by People News) △