US President Donald Trump revealed that Chinese President Xi Jinping personally assured him Beijing would not invade Taiwan while he is in office — though Xi warned that China’s patience is limitless.
In a striking revelation ahead of his Alaska summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, US President Donald Trump said Friday that Chinese leader Xi Jinping pledged not to invade Taiwan during his presidency.
Speaking on Fox News’ Special Report, Trump recalled his exchanges with Xi:
“He told me, ‘I will never do it as long as you’re president.’ And I said, ‘Well, I appreciate that.’ But he also said, ‘I am very patient, and China is very patient.’”
Trump, now in his second term, said the assurance was given directly in their first confirmed phone call in June, though he added that Xi had reached out earlier in April as well.
The comments come at a moment of high global tension, with Trump simultaneously navigating talks with Putin over Ukraine while confronting China’s ambitions in the Pacific.
China Responds
The Chinese Embassy in Washington wasted no time reinforcing Beijing’s position, calling Taiwan the “most important and sensitive issue” in US-China relations.
Spokesman Liu Pengyu warned:
“The US government should adhere to the one-China principle and the three US-China joint communiqués, handle Taiwan-related issues prudently, and earnestly safeguard China-US relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.”
Taiwan’s Stance
Taiwan, a self-governed democracy, has repeatedly rejected Beijing’s sovereignty claims. China has vowed to “reunify” with the island — by force if necessary. Meanwhile, Washington remains Taiwan’s chief arms supplier and backer on the world stage, even as it maintains no formal diplomatic ties.
Trump’s disclosure may ease immediate fears of conflict, but Xi’s warning of China’s patience signals that the Taiwan question remains a powder keg in US-China relations.
