Trump: Xi promises no Chinese invasion of Taiwan during his term

Trump: Xi promises no Chinese invasion of Taiwan during his term

President Donald Trump said on Friday that Chinese President Xi Jinping had assured him that China would not attack Taiwan as long as Trump was in office.

Trump and Xi: A Conversation About Taiwan

Trump made these statements in an interview with Fox News while discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin about the invasion of Ukraine were taking place in the background. "I can tell you that the situation between President Xi of China and Taiwan is very similar, but I don't think that will happen while I'm here. We'll see," Trump said during the interview on Fox News' "Special Report."

Xi Jinping's promise

Trump further stated, "He said to me, 'I'll never do it as long as you're president.' President Xi told me that, and I said, 'Well, I appreciate that,' but he added, 'I'm very patient, and China is very patient.'" This was the first confirmed call between Trump and Xi during Trump's second term, which took place in June. Trump also mentioned that Xi called him in April, but did not provide a specific time for that conversation.

Taiwan's point of view

China views Taiwan as its own territory and has vowed to "unify" with the democratically ruled and separately administered island by force if necessary. Taiwan resolutely defends itself against China's sovereignty claims. The Chinese Embassy in Washington on Friday called the issue of Taiwan "the most important and sensitive issue" in US-China relations.

Reactions to Trump's statements

"The U.S. government should respect the One China principle and the three U.S.-China joint communiques, handle Taiwan-related issues carefully, and seriously safeguard China-U.S. relations and cross-strait peace and stability," embassy spokesman Liu Pengyu said in a statement.

Although Washington is the main supplier of arms and international support to Taiwan, the US, like most countries, does not have formal diplomatic relations with the island.

Taiwan's response to US rhetoric

Although the Taiwanese government has not yet responded to Trump's comments, a senior lawmaker from the incumbent Democratic Progressive Party said Saturday that Taiwan was grateful for the support of its "important ally." "However... security cannot rely on the promise of the enemy, nor on the help of friends alone. Strengthening our own defense capabilities is crucial!" Wang Ting-yu, who sits on the Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee of the Taiwanese Parliament, wrote on his Facebook page.