US President Donald Trump has warned Taiwan not to declare formal independence from China, following a high-level meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, according to BBC News. Speaking to Fox News after the two-day summit, Trump said he was not looking to support any move that could raise tensions in the region.
“I’m not looking to have somebody go independent,” he said, while also stressing that US policy on Taiwan has not changed.
Taiwan governs itself, but China considers it part of its territory and has not ruled out using force to bring it under control. For decades, the United States has tried to balance its support for Taiwan with its diplomatic ties to China. While Washington provides Taiwan with defensive support, it officially does not support Taiwanese independence and maintains the “One China” policy.
During his trip, Trump said he and Xi discussed Taiwan “a lot.” He described Xi as strongly opposed to any independence movement and warned that mishandling the issue could lead to serious conflict between the two global powers. However, Trump downplayed the chances of war, saying he believed both sides wanted stability.
At the same time, tensions remain high. China has increased military exercises near Taiwan in recent years, raising concerns across the region. Meanwhile, the US is considering an $11 billion arms sale to Taiwan, including advanced weapons systems. Trump said he has not yet made a final decision and plans to speak with Taiwan’s president before moving forward.
Trump emphasized that maintaining the current situation, where Taiwan neither declares independence nor unites with China, remains the safest path. He warned against any assumption that US support would encourage Taiwan to take bold steps toward independence.
Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung responded by saying the island remains committed to peace and stability, while accusing China of increasing risks through military pressure. He added that Taiwan continues to work closely with the United States and other partners to protect its interests.
