Back-to-back calls between U.S. President Donald Trump and the leaders of Japan and China have so far done little to defuse the diplomatic spat occurring between Beijing and Tokyo, as experts warn that a de-escalation of the crisis remains nowhere in sight.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi spoke with Trump on Tuesday, hours after he held a separate call with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Takaichi, in remarks to the media after her call with Trump, said that she discussed China relations during their conversation. The flurry of calls followed a dispute triggered by Takaichi's recent remarks over how Japan might respond to a Chinese attack on Taiwan.

Xi pressed Trump on Taiwan during their Monday call, urging Washington to help safeguard the international order post-World War Two, according to an official readout by China's foreign ministry.

Trump, however, did not mention Taiwan in a Truth Social post after his call with Xi, simply saying that they discussed the war in Ukraine, fentanyl and soybeans, among other things. The U.S. President also said that he will visit Beijing in April , with Xi set to make a state visit to the U.S. later in 2026.

The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday that Xi had taken the unusual move of requesting for the call with Trump.

Takaichi cannot retract her statement and Beijing knows that. Takaichi's sin was speaking with clarity for which Beijing is punishing her.
David Boling and Jeremy Chan Analysts at Eurasia Group
Andy Rothman, founder of China advisory firm Sinology, pointed out that the Chinese statement emphasized Taiwan, suggesting that Xi would like Trump to use his influence with Takaichi to persuade her to tone down her rhetoric on cross-Strait issues.

Beijing has demanded that Takaichi retract her statement on Taiwan, but while the Japanese prime minister said she would avoid discussing specific scenarios in the future, she has not withdrawn her statement.

"Takaichi cannot retract her statement and Beijing knows that. Takaichi's sin was speaking with clarity for which Beijing is punishing her… As long as Takaichi remains prime minister, it's hard to see relations improving much," analysts David Boling and Jeremy Chan at political risk consultancy Eurasia Group said.

Alice Han, Director for China at advisory firm Greenvale, told CNBC's "Squawk Box Asia" that Xi "prioritizes Taiwan as part of his legacy."

On the other hand, Han said, the Trump administration is "far more reluctant" to sacrifice blood and treasure on the Taiwan question than his predecessors, preferring instead to focus on the trade relationship between Washington and Beijing.