<h1>US-China leaders clash over Taiwan arms, Japan tensions and Ukraine, balancing strategic ambiguity with domestic defense obligations</h1> A recent phone call between the US and Chinese heads of state addressed trade, Taiwan, and the Ukraine conflict, highlighting key international law and security issues. China reiterated its position that Taiwan's 'return' is integral to the post-war order and condemned recent Japanese statements suggesting possible military involvement if China acts against Taiwan, further straining China-Japan relations. The US maintains a policy of strategic ambiguity on military intervention but is legally bound under domestic law to supply Taiwan with defensive arms, evidenced by a recent USD 330 million arms sale protested by China as violating the one-China principle. Both sides cited a generally stable bilateral trajectory and discussed resolving the Ukraine crisis.