US President Donald Trump has urged Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi not to provoke China amid rising tensions over Taiwan. The appeal came after Takaichi stated that Tokyo might intervene militarily if Taiwan were attacked, sparking one of the most serious diplomatic disputes between Japan and China in recent years. Beijing strongly protested, demanding a retraction of her remarks, which Takaichi refused. During a phone call with Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated that Taiwan’s return to China is an integral part of the international order. Shortly afterward, Trump spoke with Takaichi, advising her to avoid actions or statements that could inflame Beijing but stopped short of pressuring her to withdraw her comments. The Japanese Prime Minister’s office declined to comment when approached by AFP. The situation underscores the delicate balance in US-Japan-China relations amid the ongoing Taiwan question.