President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Chinese President Xi Jinping regarding any potential military moves against Taiwan, asserting that the Chinese leader is fully aware of the ensuing consequences. Trump, however, refrained from specifying the nature of any U.S. response, including direct military engagement.
In a televised interview segment, Trump mentioned that the critical issue of Taiwan was not raised during his recent encounter with Xi in South Korea. When pressed on whether he would sanction U.S. military intervention if China were to attack Taiwan, Trump’s response was intentionally ambiguous: “You’ll find out if it happens, and he understands the answer to that.” He further commented on the secrecy surrounding his strategy, saying, “I can’t give away my secrets. The other side knows.”
The President also revealed that China’s leadership had openly stated their intention to avoid actions against Taiwan during his presidency, understanding the significant consequences. Taiwan, a self-governing entity with a democratic system, is considered by Beijing to be part of its territory. The U.S. policy acknowledges Beijing’s claim but simultaneously supports Taiwan’s defense through arms sales.
While the Taiwan situation remains a major point of contention in U.S.-China relations, the recent summit between Trump and Xi was reportedly dedicated to easing trade friction, sidestepping discussions on territorial disagreements.