Trump warns against Taiwan independence after China visit
US President Donald Trump warned Taiwan against declaring formal independence after his China visit, where he also claimed vague trade deals with Beijing while avoiding concrete progress on issues like Iran. Trump invited Chinese leader Xi Jinping for a reciprocal visit in September and reiterated US opposition to Taiwan independence, though he did not clarify whether the US would defend the island in a conflict.
US President Donald Trump concluded his state visit to China on May 15, warning Taiwan against declaring formal independence after discussions with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Trump stated he opposed such a move, questioning why the US would intervene militarily if Taiwan pursued independence. He told Fox News, 'I'm not looking to have somebody go independent... I'm not looking for that,' while also urging both sides to 'cool down.' The visit yielded limited concrete outcomes, despite Trump’s claims of 'fantastic' trade deals. Boeing confirmed an initial commitment from China to buy 200 aircraft, with potential for further orders, while Trump mentioned unspecified purchases of American oil and soybeans. No formal agreements were announced beyond Boeing, and details on broader trade or tariff extensions remained unclear. Trump also addressed tensions with Iran, stating Xi had assured him China was not preparing military aid to Tehran, though Israel has accused Beijing of supplying missile technology to Iran. The Chinese foreign ministry called for reopening shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has controlled amid rising global oil prices. Trump said discussions on extending the one-year tariff truce were not brought up during the summit. Xi emphasized stability in the Taiwan Strait, warning that missteps could lead to conflict. Taiwan’s foreign ministry thanked the US for supporting peace in the region, despite Trump’s ambiguous stance on whether US forces would defend Taiwan under the Taiwan Relations Act. The visit was described as a milestone by Xi, who gifted Trump rose seeds for the White House garden, though analysts noted a muted response from China to Trump’s overtures. Trump invited Xi for a reciprocal visit to Washington in September, signaling efforts to stabilize relations between the world’s two largest economies. The summit followed delays due to the war in Iran, where Trump’s appeals for peace have been rebuffed. Analysts suggested the visit was more about optics than substantive progress, with both sides prioritizing stability over immediate breakthroughs.
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