[People News] The recent phone call between Trump and Xi Jinping has become an international Rashomon. In the past, whenever the U.S. initiated a call, China would always say it was “at the invitation.” This time, China did not use “at the invitation,” and the outside world interpreted it as China having initiated the call. But later, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning swore up and down that it was “initiated by the U.S.”

Who made the call is something Americans simply don’t care about; making a call is “no big deal,” and it has nothing to do with national dignity. But in the CCP’s view, if you call me, it means you need something from me, and if you need something from me, you “lose face”—all of this is driven by an inferiority complex.

As for who made the call, the U.S. said nothing. But I estimate it was more likely China that called, because the U.S. and China had just reached a package deal on tariffs, so there was nothing more that needed to be discussed. Trump would have no reason to call Xi for no good reason and try to build rapport with him.

On the other hand, Xi Jinping was made a complete mess by Sanae Takaichi’s pro-Taiwan statements. Chinese state media went full firepower, yet Japan treated it like drizzling rain. Xi did not know how to end the situation. Japan is America’s little brother, so complaining to Trump and asking him to restrain Takaichi might force her to retract her remarks. This shows that it was highly likely Xi who made the call.

Regarding the Trump–Xi call, both sides released their own summaries, each telling a different story—another Rashomon. The Chinese side said the two discussed Taiwan, U.S.–China relations, and international/regional issues of mutual concern. The U.S. side, however, only mentioned trade, fentanyl, the Russia–Ukraine war, and agricultural products.

Neither side mentioned the recent China–Japan war of words. The issues listed by the U.S. were all matters resolved during tariff negotiations. And the U.S. said nothing at all about Taiwan, which China claimed was discussed. What is there to talk about regarding Taiwan? Nothing major has happened recently, and the U.S. policy toward Taiwan has not changed—how exactly would Xi and Trump talk about Taiwan?

Clearly, the topic must have been introduced by referring to Takaichi’s recent remarks. Xi complained to Trump, hoping Trump would restrain Japan and prevent it from going too far on cross-strait issues. That was precisely the goal of Xi initiating the call.

Xi wanted to use this phone call to pressure Japan and force Takaichi to retract her pro-Taiwan statement. This proves Xi’s severe lack of political wisdom. Why did Takaichi suddenly make such a stunning pro-Taiwan declaration? Anyone with basic common sense knows she was pushed from behind by Trump. Since the whole thing was stirred up by the U.S., how can you ask the U.S. to settle it for you—are you stupid?

Before Takaichi made her pro-Taiwan statement, China had just lifted its ban on Japanese seafood imports, and bilateral relations were improving. At this moment, if Japan had also shown goodwill, the two countries’ relations could have risen to the next level, reducing diplomatic pressure on each other. Yet Takaichi went in the opposite direction and suddenly played a killer move, muddying the waters. Was she simply intoxicated by her own position as prime minister?

Meanwhile, European countries invited Taiwan’s Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, former President Tsai Ing-wen, and legislator Shen Po-yang to visit Europe one after another. They spoke publicly in major venues including the European Parliament and received high praise—an unprecedented development. Europe and Japan making simultaneous moves aimed at Taiwan is no coincidence; they are clearly coordinated under an overarching plan.

Japan’s pro-Taiwan stance is built on an assumption: if the CCP uses force against Taiwan and triggers U.S. military intervention, Japan—based on the U.S.–Japan Security Treaty—would be compelled to join the war. Japan has neither recognized the Republic of China nor condemned the CCP. Takaichi was merely clarifying the position she must take as prime minister when facing such an objective challenge.

Europe inviting Hsiao Bi-khim, Tsai Ing-wen, and Shen Po-yang, and having them speak on major occasions representing Taiwan—this effectively amounts to recognizing Taiwan’s independent status. Even knowing this is a major taboo for the CCP, European countries still dared to take the risk. This is completely out of character for Europe’s traditionally timid and evasive politicians. Why the sudden change? Clearly, there is a shared consensus behind the scenes supporting this.

Japan and Europe simultaneously signaling against the CCP—behind this, of course, is U.S. involvement. The U.S. was put in a passive position by China’s rare-earth export ban and is filled with anger with nowhere to vent. Seeing the CCP’s soft underbelly—Taiwan—the U.S. struck hard as payback for China’s rare-earth embargo. This is human nature.

Therefore, Xi Jinping complaining to Trump and hoping Trump would restrain Japan is laughable. Desperately making a call for help, and Trump deflecting and giving him a soft rejection—after hanging up, Xi must have been furious, cursing in Zhongnanhai.

Recently there have been online reports that three Japanese electronics companies—Canon, Nikon, and Mitsubishi—have stopped providing lithography machine maintenance services, stopped supplying key photoresist materials, and withdrawn service teams, with parts and adhesive shipments halted. I’m somewhat skeptical of this news because such a move would be a fatal blow, and the situation has not yet reached that point.

Japan does have the ability to choke the CCP in lithography maintenance and photoresist supply. But what options does the CCP have to choke Japan in return? I can’t see any. Japan can solve its own rare-earth problems, its high-tech industry leads in many areas, TSMC has factories guaranteeing chip supply, and the CCP has no way to deal with Japan. All it can do is bluster.

As Hong Kongers say, “If you play the first day, I’ll play the fifteenth.” The CCP’s wolf-warrior diplomacy has made the whole world restless. Now all countries see the CCP as a common enemy and would love to teach it a lesson, make it suffer a little. That is why this new global anti-CCP wave is gaining momentum—the CCP still has more suffering ahead, so let’s all watch carefully.

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