Donald Trump says the US does not support Taiwan declaring formal independence from China.
US President Donald Trump has warned Taiwan against pursuing formal independence just hours after concluding a major summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing.
Speaking to Fox News after the two-day meeting, Trump said, “I’m not looking to have somebody go independent,” while stressing that Washington wants stability between China and Taiwan.
Trump’s remarks followed direct discussions with Xi over Taiwan, which China considers part of its territory. Beijing has repeatedly warned against any move toward Taiwanese independence and has increased military activity around the island in recent years.
The US president also confirmed he has not yet decided whether to approve an $11 billion arms sale package to Taiwan. Trump said he and Xi discussed the issue “in great detail” during the summit.
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has previously argued that Taiwan already operates as a sovereign nation and does not need to formally declare independence.
Despite lacking formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, the United States remains legally committed to helping the island defend itself under US law.
China described Taiwan as the “most important issue” in US-China relations during the talks, with Xi warning that mishandling the matter could lead to conflict between both nations.
The latest comments highlight growing tensions over Taiwan as Washington and Beijing continue delicate negotiations on trade, security, and regional stability.