Earlier, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te had said that there was no need to declare formal independence because Taiwan already considered itself a sovereign nation.
We use Google Cloud Translation Services. Google requires we provide the following disclaimer relating to use of this service:
This service may contain translations powered by Google. Google disclaims all warranties related to the translations, expressed or implied, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and noninfringement.
US President Donald Trump has warned Taiwan not to declare independence from China. In an interview with Fox News on Friday, Trump said after a two-day summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, “I don’t want to see anyone trying to become an independent country.” Earlier, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te had said that Taiwan already considers itself a sovereign nation and that there was no need for a formal declaration of independence. The US has long supported Taiwan. It has also provided Taiwan with the necessary assistance for self-defense. However, the US always has to maintain a balance in maintaining diplomatic relations with China. Trump had previously said that he had “made no commitments” to Taiwan. China considers Taiwan part of its territory and has warned that it could take control by force if necessary. According to Washington’s official policy, the US does not support Taiwanese independence. Relations with China are also based on the condition of accepting the “one China policy.” Beijing has been expressing its displeasure with Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, describing him as a “troublemaker” and a “disturbing cross-strait peacemaker.” Although many Taiwanese consider themselves part of a separate nation, most want to maintain the status quo, meaning neither unification with China nor formal independence.
In an interview with Fox News, Trump reiterated that US policy has not changed. “We don’t want to go to war 9,500 miles away,” he said. “I want to see the tension reduced. I want China to be calm.” Speaking to reporters on his way back to Washington, Trump said he and Xi had “a lot of discussions” about Taiwan. However, he said he had not commented on whether the US would defend Taiwan if it were attacked. According to Trump, Xi Jinping is “very sensitive” about Taiwan and “doesn’t want to see an independence movement.”
According to Chinese state media, during the talks, Xi said that “the Taiwan question is the most important issue in US-China relations.” He warned, “If it is handled incorrectly, it could lead to conflict or even conflict between the two countries.”
Asked if he saw the possibility of a war with China over Taiwan, Trump said, “I don’t think so. Everything will be fine. Xi doesn’t want war.”
Last year, the Trump administration announced plans to sell Taiwan $11 billion worth of weapons, including advanced rocket launchers and various missile systems. China strongly opposed that.
Trump said he would decide soon whether to proceed with the arms sale. He also said he and Xi had “extensive discussions” about it.
He added, “I have to talk to the person who is running Taiwan now, you know who he is.”
The US does not have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, but informal ties are strong. In 2025, the US State Department removed a sentence from its website that referred to “opposition to Taiwan independence.” China responded by saying it sent “the wrong message to separatist forces.”
