Trump Claims Xi Assured No Taiwan Action During His Presidency
URGENT UPDATE: President Donald Trump has claimed that Chinese President Xi Jinping assured him that China will refrain from taking any military action regarding Taiwan while he remains in office. This revelation emerged during an interview on CBS’s “60 Minutes,” which aired on October 29, 2023.
In a statement made from Mar-a-Lago in Florida, Trump emphasized that the contentious issue of Taiwan was not a focal point in his recent discussions with Xi in South Korea, where trade tensions were the primary concern. However, he expressed confidence in Xi’s assurance that no aggressive moves would occur regarding Taiwan during his presidency.
“He has openly said, and his people have openly said at meetings, ‘We would never do anything while President Trump is president,’ because they know the consequences,” Trump stated.
The potential for conflict over Taiwan has been a pressing concern for U.S. officials, who fear that China may resort to military force against the self-governing island, which Beijing considers part of its territory. The 1979 Taiwan Relations Act does not mandate U.S. military intervention in the event of an invasion but establishes American policy to support Taiwan’s defense capabilities.
When questioned about whether he would deploy U.S. forces to protect Taiwan in case of a Chinese attack, Trump was non-committal. “You’ll find out if it happens, and he understands the answer to that,” he remarked, maintaining the U.S. policy of “strategic ambiguity” regarding military support for Taiwan.
The implications of this statement are significant as tensions between the U.S. and China continue to escalate. Trump’s comments come amid increasing scrutiny over U.S.-China relations, particularly concerning trade and military posturing in the Asia-Pacific region. The Chinese embassy in Washington has yet to respond to requests for clarification on Xi’s assurances.
This interview marks Trump’s first appearance on “60 Minutes” since settling a legal dispute with CBS News over a previous interview with Kamala Harris. The remainder of the interview is set to air later today, providing more insights into Trump’s views on foreign policy and his presidency.
As the situation develops, observers will be watching closely for any shifts in China’s posture toward Taiwan and how the U.S. may respond. The stakes are high, and the implications for international relations are profound.
Stay tuned for further updates on this critical issue as it unfolds. The geopolitical landscape regarding Taiwan could change rapidly, and the world is watching.
