Xi lambasted Japan's 'remilitarisation' in closed-door Trump summit

Chinese President Xi Jinping sharply criticized Japan's defense buildup during November's Beijing summit with Trump, accusing Tokyo of "remilitarisation" as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi pushes defense spending toward 2% of GDP by 2027. Sources briefed on the talks told the Financial Times Xi specifically targeted Japan's counter-strike capabilities and deepening U.S. Alliance ties, framing them as regional threats. The comments came amid escalating China-Japan tensions over the East China Sea and Taiwan, with Japan identifying China as its "greatest strategic challenge" while acquiring long-range missiles and expanding rapid deployment forces. Despite the diplomatic friction, no major agreements emerged from the Trump-Xi meeting on Iran, Taiwan, semiconductors, or rare earths.