Biden, Xi Speak Amid Rising Tensions

President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping held the fifth conversation of their presidencies Thursday amid rising geopolitical tensions.

The main source of U.S.-China tension currently is House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's rumored upcoming visit to Taiwan. China sees the trip as a potential act against its government, which claims Taiwan is its own territory; Taiwan's government considers itself a sovereign nation. Chinese state media said Xi warned Biden during the call about "playing with fire" over Taiwan. The White House said it would soon provide a readout of the call.

The U.S. employs "strategic ambiguity" in the China-Taiwan dispute, recognizing that China's government sees Taiwan as under its rule while maintaining unofficial relations with Taiwan. Some U.S. politicians openly advocate for Taiwan's independence from China, and Pelosi's planned trip has garnered support from some conservatives and Republican lawmakers.

Coverage across the political spectrum focused on how the call came amid tensions over Taiwan, Pelosi's possible visit, global supply chain issues and Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which some speculate may encourage China to take Taiwan by force. Some reports from right-rated outlets highlighted voices, such as Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), who criticized the call as a win for China.