US President Joe Biden will speak with Chinese leader Xi Jinping this Thursday, at a time of heightened tensions between the two powers over recent disputes over Taiwan.Biden, who just tested negative after contracting coronavirus, expressed an intention to speak with his Chinese counterpart earlier this month.It will be the leaders' first call since March, and talks on Ukraine and the global impact of the war are expected to continue, but their looming challenge is to secure a peaceful understanding on Taiwan.Last week, after the announcement of a possible visit by the president of the House of Representatives of the United States, Nancy Pelosi, to the island, Beijing responded angrily that she would take "firm and determined" measures.He also warned of "serious impact" on bilateral relations if the trip went ahead.Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said then that China would not hesitate to "take forceful measures to firmly safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.""Any resulting consequences will be borne by the US side," Zhao added.On Monday, coinciding with the day that Taiwan carried out its largest air raid drill, Zhao again recalled China's intentions and stressed that the country was "seriously preparing" for Pelosi's possible trip to the island.Some White House advisers had already expressed concern about the visit even before the Chinese spokesman's warnings.Biden himself suggested last week that he had doubts about whether a visit from Pelosi would be necessary at this time or could pose security risks to Taiwan.For now it has not been confirmed if the trip will take place.This is not the first time that the Chinese authorities have responded with fury to approaches or shows of support for Taiwan, a territory that it considers its own.The Government intensifies its military activity to express its discontent on specific dates, such as after the confirmation of arms sales.The United States is Taiwan's main arms supplier, and since Biden began his term, four military aid projects have been approved.Last week he notified of another proposed arms sale worth 110 million euros.Beijing has made it clear on several occasions that it does not rule out the use of force if the West crosses lines on the "one China" principle.The United States adopts a deliberately opaque policy regarding this principle, which is known as "strategic ambiguity".With it, he refrains from clearly indicating under what circumstances they would intervene to defend the island.With threats mounting throughout this year, some US experts believe the time has come for Washington to pursue a policy of "strategic clarity."In May, Biden declared that the country was willing to intervene to defend Taiwan from a Chinese attack, something that shocked the Chinese authorities and the White House quickly backed down.As a leader with an imperialist spirit, Xi Jinping is clear that his main objective is to turn China into the greatest world power and for this the reunification of its territories is essential.Threats from Beijing are increasingly imminent, and concerns of an attack on Taiwan have intensified with Russia's war in Ukraine.Senior US officials pay close attention to China's reaction to the conflict and see what lessons China can draw from Moscow's aggression.With this call to Xi, Biden wants to show that he wants to bet on keeping the lines of communication open to ensure that the relationship does not drift into conflict.The US president may use the call to address trade tensions related to Trump-era tariffs.Some advisers to the president say they are considering removing some of the tariffs that President Donald Trump has imposed on some $350 billion in Chinese imports.Some experts suggest the move would help ease inflation, while others argue it would have little impact on price pressures and would give up an edge in talks with Beijing.Regardless of both sides acknowledging the danger of a miscalculation over Taiwan, China is unlikely to change its policy course before the Communist Party Congress or midterm elections in October. this year.Thursday's call will be a conversation to remind each other to work together for a peaceful solution.Afterward, the two countries are expected to meet face-to-face in November at the G-20 or Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting.Xi intends to lay the groundwork for a third term as president and needs to make sure everything is under control until then.