Trump cautions against Taiwan independence after Xi talks, underscoring delicate US-China balance as Washington maintains support for Taipei while avoiding escalation with Beijing, reports Asian Lite Newsdesk
US President Donald Trump has cautioned against any formal move by Taiwan to declare independence, signalling Washington’s continued caution over one of the most sensitive issues in its relationship with China.
Speaking after a two-day summit in Beijing with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Trump said he was not in favour of any step towards independence for the self-governing island. His remarks came during an interview with Fox News, where he emphasised the need to avoid escalating tensions in the region.
“I’m not looking to have somebody go independent,” Trump said, while also noting that he had made “no commitment either way” during his discussions with Xi.
The comments reflect the longstanding complexity of US policy towards Taiwan. While Washington is legally bound to support the island’s defence capabilities, it does not formally recognise it as an independent state and adheres to the “One China” policy, which acknowledges Beijing’s position that there is only one Chinese government.
Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te has previously argued that the island does not need to declare independence, maintaining that it already operates as a sovereign entity. His position reflects a broader sentiment within Taiwan, where many citizens identify as distinct from mainland China but favour maintaining the current status quo rather than risking conflict.
Beijing, however, continues to view Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to bring it under its control. Chinese officials have been openly critical of Lai, describing him as a destabilising figure in cross-strait relations.
