President Donald Trump said in an interview aired Friday that he wants tensions between China and Taiwan to “cool down,” while signaling no major shift in America’s current posture toward the island following his meetings this week with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing.
Speaking with Bret Baier on Fox News’s “Special Report,” Trump was asked whether the people of Taiwan should feel less secure after his high-profile visit to China and discussions with Xi.
“Neutral,” Trump responded. “This has been going on for years.”
Trump emphasized that he does not believe anything fundamental has changed in the relationship between the United States and Taiwan. At the same time, he made clear he does not want the situation to escalate into military confrontation, particularly one that could pull the United States into another distant overseas conflict.
“Nothing’s changed. I will say this: I’m not looking to have somebody go independent,” Trump said, referring to Taiwan, which China considers part of its territory.
“And, you know, we’re supposed to travel 9,500 miles to fight a war. I’m not looking for that. I want them to cool down. I want China to cool down,” he added.
The comments reflected Trump’s longstanding skepticism toward foreign entanglements while also underscoring the delicate balancing act Washington faces in dealing with Beijing and Taiwan. American leaders from both parties have traditionally maintained support for Taiwan while avoiding formal recognition of Taiwanese independence in an effort to prevent open conflict with China.
Trump also remained noncommittal when asked about a proposed $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan that has drawn bipartisan backing from Republicans and Democrats in Congress.
“I may do it. I may not do it,” the president told Baier.
Under the long-standing U.S. “One China” policy, the United States acknowledges Beijing’s position that Taiwan is part of China but does not formally endorse that claim. At the same time, Washington maintains unofficial relations with Taiwan and continues providing economic and defense support.
Throughout the interview, Trump repeatedly stressed that he does not want the United States encouraging Taiwan toward formal independence.
“We’re not looking to have wars,” Trump said. “If you kept it the way it is, I think China is [going to] be OK with that.”
“But we’re not looking to have somebody say, ‘Let’s go independent because the United States is backing us,’” he continued.
Trump’s remarks made headlines earlier Friday after he told reporters he had “made no commitment either way” regarding Taiwan during his private discussions with Xi.
“On Taiwan, he feels very strongly,” Trump said of the Chinese president. “I made no commitment either way.”
According to Trump, Chinese officials pressed the issue directly during the meetings and warned that the United States taking sides on Taiwan could damage relations between Washington and Beijing. The president notably avoided making strong public statements about Taiwan during his visit to China.
Trump also declined to answer questions about whether the United States would defend Taiwan militarily if conflict broke out.
“I’m not going to say that,” Trump told reporters. “There’s only one person that knows that and you know who it is? Me.”
He added that Xi himself had asked about the issue during their talks.
“That question was asked to me today by President Xi. I said I don’t talk about that,” Trump said.
The interview underscored the growing pressure surrounding Taiwan as tensions between China and the United States continue simmering. At the same time, Trump’s repeated calls for both sides to “cool down” reflected broader concerns about how quickly geopolitical rivalries can slide toward military confrontation — particularly when the stakes involve major world powers and the possibility of another prolonged war far from American shores.
