China, according to Trump, assures Xi that they will abstain from invading Taiwan during his tenure as the US president.
In a series of interviews with Fox News, US President Donald Trump has underscored the importance of strengthening alliances and deterrence against China in relation to Taiwan. However, Trump has not suggested that China is currently planning an imminent invasion of the island.
Trump stated that Chinese President Xi Jinping told him China would not invade Taiwan while Trump is in office. The exact date of this conversation remains unspecified. The US President's comments come at a time when tensions between China and Taiwan remain high, with China viewing Taiwan as its own territory and vowing to "reunify" with the island, if necessary.
The Chinese Embassy in Washington regards the topic of Taiwan as the most important and sensitive issue in China-US relations. Liu Pengyu, the embassy spokesperson, urged the US to adhere to the one-China principle and the three US-China joint communiqués, and to handle Taiwan-related issues prudently.
Taiwan strongly objects to China's sovereignty claims. Wang Ting-yu, a Taiwan parliament member, emphasized that security cannot rely on promises from enemies or solely on help from friends. Strengthening Taiwan's own defense capability is fundamental, according to Wang.
The US is Taiwan's main arms supplier and international backer, but does not have formal diplomatic ties with the island, like most countries. Taiwan's government has yet to respond to Trump's remarks, but a senior lawmaker from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party expressed gratitude for support from "our major ally."
Trump's stance aligns with broader US defense commentary that while China is building capability, a Taiwan conflict is not seen as inevitable at present. Some defense officials have highlighted China's military modernization aimed to be ready by 2027 to potentially invade Taiwan, but the intent remains uncertain and is viewed as a possible future threat rather than an immediate action.
It is important to note that Trump's comments were made ahead of talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. The potential for conflict in the Taiwan Strait remains a significant concern for global security and stability.
World leaders, including President Trump, are deeply involved in discussions concerning Asia's political landscape, with the Taiwan issue being a focal point. The US President's comments about Chinese war-and-conflicts intentions toward Taiwan have added to the general news about this ongoing tension, raising concerns about potential future conflicts in the region.
