TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — US President Donald Trump said Chinese leader Xi Jinping is aware of “the consequences” of attacking Taiwan.
Trump met with Xi in South Korea on Oct. 30 and announced a temporary trade truce with Beijing. In an interview aired Sunday on CBS’s “60 Minutes,” Trump said that Taiwan “never even came up as a subject” during their talks.
Asked whether he would send US forces to defend Taiwan if China invaded, Trump replied, “You’ll find out if it happens and he (Xi) understands the answer to that.” He added, “He understands it, and he understands it very well.”
Pressed on what he meant, Trump said, “I can’t give away my secrets. I don’t want to be one of these guys who tells you exactly what’s going to happen.” He said, “The other side knows.”
He stressed that, “They understand what’s going to happen.” Trump claimed that Xi and his officials have publicly said they would not take action during his presidency “because they know the consequences.”
Questions about the US stance on Taiwan came up multiple times during Trump’s Asia trip amid concerns he might alter Washington’s wording to secure a trade deal with Beijing. While en route to Asia aboard Air Force One, Trump said he hoped China would not attempt an invasion, warning “it would be very dangerous for them to do.”
After the Trump-Xi summit concluded, Trump said that Taiwan was not discussed. Instead, the talks centered on trade, with Trump announcing a deal to ease US tariffs on China in return for some concessions from Beijing.
