Trump says Xi asked if U.S. would defend Taiwan during talks
Trump says Xi asked if U.S. would defend Taiwan during talks
Xi reportedly asked if the U.S. would defend Taiwan; both leaders stress stability as Taiwan policy and arms sales loom large.
During a trip to China, President Donald Trump recounted a moment from his talks with Xi Jinping in which the Chinese leader directly asked whether the United States would defend Taiwan in the event of a conflict. Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on the way back to the United States that he did not provide a comment on the hypothetical, underscoring the sensitivity of the Taiwan issue. He described the Trump-Xi meeting as good, and said Xi had called Taiwan the most important question and the biggest risk to China-U.S. relations. The account frames a visit aimed at injecting stability into a fraught relationship even as old tensions persist over Taiwan and broader regional control.
The discussion touched on longstanding U.S. policy of strategic ambiguity regarding Taiwan, with both sides signaling a shared interest in avoiding unilateral moves that could destabilize the status quo. Trump said he would consider arms sales to Taiwan in line with past practice and suggested a near-term decision would come, while noting that he and Xi spoke at length about Taiwan and Iran and reached what he called a very good understanding on both issues. He added that he respects Xi and warned that a war 9,500 miles away would be the last thing either side needs.
In related remarks carried by other outlets, Rubio, traveling with the president, indicated that the U.S. policy on Taiwan remains unchanged. The comments reflect the diplomatic tightrope both countries face as they navigate competing interests in Asia while publicly signaling a commitment to stability. Observers will watch how this evolving dialogue translates into concrete steps, including any changes to arms sales or public statements on Taiwan’s future.
