WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — In a recent interview on CBS’ program '60 Minutes,' former President Donald Trump revealed that Chinese President Xi Jinping assured him there would be no military actions regarding Taiwan during his presidency. This comes at a time of heightened concern around U.S.-China relations and ongoing tensions over Taiwan, which China considers a breakaway province.
Trump stated that these discussions did not specifically pertain to Taiwan but focused primarily on trade issues. He has openly said...‘We would never do anything while President Trump is president,’ Trump recounted.
This remark has stirred debate among U.S. officials and political analysts who have been increasingly alert to the possibility of Chinese military force directed at Taiwan. The U.S. maintains a policy of 'strategic ambiguity,' which means the government refrains from stating explicitly if it would intervene militarily should China attack Taiwan.
In 1979, the Taiwan Relations Act established U.S. policy toward Taiwan, ensuring it has the resources to defend itself. However, it does not mandate military intervention in the event of an invasion.
Moreover, Trump was cautious when asked about his actions should conflict arise, stating, You’ll find out if it happens, and he understands the answer to that. Meanwhile, Chinese officials have yet to confirm Trump’s assertion, emphasizing that Taiwan is an internal Chinese matter, stating, How to resolve the Taiwan question is a matter for the Chinese people themselves to decide.\
As the 2024 presidential election approaches, Trump's claims and the implications for U.S.-China relations are likely to attract significant attention.
