Xi Jinping angrily raised Japan's remilitarisation at Beijing summit with Trump

The most tense moment of Donald Trump and Xi Jinping's Beijing summit was an unexpected clash over Japan, according to the Financial Times. Xi reportedly spoke emotionally and with irritation about Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's push for remilitarisation.

The meeting between US President [Donald Trump](/politicians/donald-trump) and Chinese leader [Xi Jinping](/politicians/xi-jinping) in Beijing took an unexpected turn when Japan's military buildup became the most contentious topic of the summit, the Financial Times reports, citing sources familiar with the talks.

Xi Jinping sharply criticised Japanese Prime Minister [Sanae Takaichi](/politicians/sanae-takaichi) over what Beijing describes as Japan's "remilitarisation", speaking in a manner that American officials present found notably emotional and irritated. The sharp tone reportedly caught the US delegation off guard.

The episode underscores deep Chinese anxieties about Japan's expanding defence ambitions, which have accelerated in recent years. Tokyo has significantly increased its defence budget and broadened its strategic posture, moves that Beijing views as a direct security threat in the region.

While the Trump-Xi summit was broadly expected to focus on trade tensions and Taiwan, the intensity of Xi's remarks on Japan signals that China considers Tokyo's rearmament one of its most pressing regional concerns — and is prepared to raise it directly with Washington at the highest level.