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“I don’t want someone to declare independence and the US to have to travel 15,000 kilometers to go to war.” Donald Trump said this in an interview with Fox News regarding Taiwan. “Nothing has changed” in US policy towards Taiwan. «Beijing does not want Taiwan’s independence. And I want Taipei to calm down and China to calm down”, said Trump who then did not want to formally commit himself on the issue of arms sales to Taipei.
«I could do it. I might not do it,” Bret Baier told Fox. “We don’t want to start wars. If the status quo were maintained, I believe China would have nothing to object to. But we don’t want anyone to feel entitled to say: ‘Let’s declare independence, the United States has our back,'” he insisted.
Trump denied that Xi Jinping’s warning about Taiwan was a “threat” to the United States, as many commentators, including Republican ones, have pointed out. In an interview with Fox News recorded in Beijing, the tycoon responded to those who criticized the visit, including his former strategist Steve Bannon who spoke of a “clear threat”.
Taiwan reaffirms its independence after Trump’s warning
The Taiwanese government claims its independence in response to statements by US President Donald Trump, who warned against any declaration of independence that could trigger a war with Beijing, “Taiwan is a democratic, sovereign and independent nation, not subordinate to the People’s Republic of China,” the Taiwanese Foreign Ministry said, adding that the sale of arms is part of the US security commitments to Taiwan and that, in this regard, Washington’s policy remains “unchanged”.
Wang Yi: «Trump understands the Chinese position»
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Beijing perceives that President Donald Trump understands China’s position on Taiwan. “During the meeting we felt that the US side understands China’s position and attaches importance to its concerns, and, like the international community, does not support or accept Taiwan’s move towards independence,” Wang told Chinese state media at the end of the leaders’ summit.
«Taiwan is the most important issue between China and the USA»
«The Taiwan issue is the most important issue in China-US relations; affects the situation as a whole,” Wang reiterated. “We hope that the US side will respect the one-China principle and the three Sino-US joint communiques and fulfill its international obligations.”
The principle of one China
The “one China principle” refers to China’s position that Taiwan is part of its territory and that it wishes to “reunify,” despite never having controlled the democratic, self-governing island. Washington maintains strong unofficial relations with Taiwan.
Trump: «No commitments made on Taiwan»
Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that he had made “no commitment one way or the other” on Taiwan during his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, after Beijing warned that the issue could spark conflict between the two countries. The US State Department said earlier this week that US policy on the self-governing island is “unchanged”.
Taipei’s reaction: «Constant communication with the USA»
Taiwan’s foreign minister said the island’s government was closely following meetings between Trump and Xi, stressing that Taipei was “maintaining good communication” with the United States. He also highlighted Rubio’s comments, saying that “longstanding U.S. policy toward Taiwan, spanning multiple presidents and administrations, has not changed.”