Trump Cautions Taiwan Against Independence After Beijing Summit With Xi

Trump urges Taiwan to avoid formal independence as tensions with China remain central after summit with Xi Jinping.

US President Donald Trump has warned Taiwan against formally declaring independence from China, hours after concluding a high-profile summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing.

Speaking in an interview on Friday at the end of his two-day visit, Trump said the United States was not seeking a conflict with China over Taiwan.

“I’m not looking to have somebody go independent,” Trump said, reaffirming Washington’s long-standing policy of not supporting formal Taiwanese independence.

The comments followed extensive discussions between Trump and Xi on Taiwan, which Beijing considers part of its territory and has repeatedly vowed to reunify with the mainland, by force if necessary.

Trump stressed that the US wanted stability in the region and urged both sides to avoid escalating tensions.

“You know, we’re supposed to travel 9,500 miles to fight a war. I’m not looking for that. I want them to cool down. I want China to cool down,” he said.

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has consistently maintained that Taiwan already functions as a sovereign nation and therefore has no need to formally declare independence.

China, however, strongly opposes Lai’s administration and has previously labelled him a “troublemaker” and a threat to cross-strait peace.

According to Chinese state media, Xi warned during the summit that Taiwan remained the most sensitive issue in US-China relations.

“The Taiwan question is the most important issue in China-US relations,” Xi reportedly said, adding that mishandling the matter could push both countries into conflict.

Despite growing military tensions around Taiwan, Trump said he did not foresee war with China over the island.

“No, I don’t think so. I think we’ll be fine. He doesn’t want to see a war,” Trump said, referring to Xi.

China has intensified military drills around Taiwan in recent years, while the US has continued to strengthen unofficial ties with Taipei and provide military support under American law.

Last year, the Trump administration announced an $11 billion weapons package for Taiwan, including advanced missile systems and rocket launchers, a move condemned by Beijing.

Trump disclosed that he and Xi discussed the arms deal “in great detail” during the summit and said he would soon decide whether the sale would proceed.

Taiwanese officials reacted cautiously to Trump’s remarks, with Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Ming-chi stating that Taipei would seek clarification on the exact meaning of the US president’s comments.

Chen emphasised that American arms sales remain a critical pillar of regional security and stability.

Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung also said Taipei had maintained close communication with Washington and other allies throughout the US-China summit to safeguard Taiwan’s interests.

Lin accused China of increasing regional tensions through “aggressive military actions and authoritarian oppression.”

Trump also reiterated that the US was not encouraging Taiwan to pursue formal independence under American protection.

“We’re not looking to have wars, and if you kept it the way it is, I think China’s going to be OK with that,” he said.