President Trump Cautions Taiwan On Independence After Meeting Xi/Image @ BBC
U.S. President Donald Trump has advised Taiwan against making a formal declaration of independence from China.
In an interview with Fox News yesterday following his two-day summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, Trump stated, “I’m not looking to have somebody go independent.”
Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te has previously asserted that the island already considers itself a sovereign nation and does not require a formal independence declaration.
The United States has historically supported Taiwan, including legal commitments to provide means for its self-defense. However, this support often requires balancing the alliance with the need to maintain diplomatic relations with China.
President Trump noted that he had “made no commitment either way” regarding the self-governing island, which China claims as part of its territory and has not ruled out using force to reclaim.
Washington’s longstanding position maintains that it does not endorse Taiwanese independence, with ongoing relations with Beijing dependent on the acknowledgment of a single Chinese government.
Beijing has expressed strong disapproval of Taiwan’s president, labeling him a “troublemaker” and a “destroyer of cross-strait peace.”
Many in Taiwan identify as part of a distinct nation, although most prefer to maintain the current status quo, avoiding both formal independence and unification with China.
In his Fox News interview, President Trump reiterated that U.S. policy on this issue remains unchanged.
”You know, we’re supposed to travel 9,500 miles (15,289 km) to fight a war. I’m not looking for that. I want them to cool down. I want China to cool down,” he remarked.
While returning to Washington, Trump told reporters that he and Xi had extensively discussed the situation regarding Taiwan but did not disclose whether the U.S. would defend the island.
According to President Trump, Xi “feels very strongly” about Taiwan and is opposed to any independence movements. During their discussions, Xi emphasized that the Taiwan issue is the most critical aspect of China-U.S. relations, warning that mishandling it could lead to conflict between the two nations.
When asked about the possibility of a conflict with China regarding Taiwan, President Donald Trump expressed optimism, stating, “No, I don’t think so. I believe we’ll be fine. Xi doesn’t want to see a war.”
In recent years, China has intensified military exercises around Taiwan, escalating tensions in the area and challenging the delicate balance that the U.S. has tried to maintain.
Late last year, the Trump administration unveiled an $11 billion arms package for Taiwan, which included advanced rocket systems and various missile types, actions that were met with condemnation from Beijing.
President Trump mentioned that he would soon determine whether the arms sale would proceed, noting that he and Xi had discussed the matter “in great detail.”
He added, “I need to consult with the individual who is currently leading Taiwan; you know who that is.”
While the U.S. does not have official diplomatic ties with Taiwan, it maintains significant unofficial relations. Traditionally, U.S. presidents refrain from direct communication with Taiwan’s leader, as doing so could provoke considerable tension with Beijing, which views President Lai Ching-te as a separatist.
Trump told Fox News, “We’re not aiming for conflicts, and if things remain as they are, I believe China will accept that. However, we don’t want anyone suggesting, ‘Let’s pursue independence because the United States supports us.'”
The U.S. has previously faced backlash from China for appearing to soften its position on Taiwanese independence.
In February 2025, the State Department removed a statement from its website that reaffirmed Washington’s opposition to Taiwanese independence, an action that Beijing claimed “sends a wrong signal to separatist forces.”
U.S. officials in Taiwan remarked at that time: “We have consistently stated our opposition to any unilateral alterations to the status quo by either party.”
Taiwan’s Foreign Minister, Lin Chia-lung, noted that his team was closely monitoring the U.S.-China summit and had maintained effective communication with the U.S. and other nations “to ensure the stable enhancement of Taiwan-U.S. relations and protect Taiwan’s interests.”
He asserted that Taiwan has always been a “guardian of peace and stability” in the region while accusing China of increasing risks through its “aggressive military maneuvers and authoritarian oppression.”
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong