TOKYO >> President Donald Trump asked Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi avoid further escalation in a dispute with China during a call this week, two Japanese government sources with knowledge of the matter said.

Takaichi sparked the biggest diplomatic bust-up with Beijing in years when she told parliament this month that a hypothetical Chinese attack on Taiwan could trigger Japanese military action.

That drew a furious response from Beijing, which claims democratically governed Taiwan, and a demand for Takaichi to retract her remarks, which has not been forthcoming.

In Tuesday’s call with Trump, the president expressed a desire for Takaichi to avoid further infuriating Beijing, according to the sources, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.

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