Trump warns Taiwan against independence after Beijing summit with Xi Jinping

U.S. President Donald Trump warned Taiwan against declaring formal independence on Friday, following a state visit to Beijing where Chinese President Xi Jinping pressed him on American support for the self-ruling island. Trump also appeared to question whether the United States would intervene militarily to defend Taiwan if attacked.

What did Trump say about Taiwan independence after the China visit?

Trump said he did not want Taiwan to pursue independence and questioned the logic of sending U.S. forces thousands of miles to fight a war over the island. Speaking to Fox News , he said he wanted both Taiwan and China to "cool down." He added that if the situation stayed as it was, China would likely accept it.

What is the U.S. position on Taiwan independence?

The United States recognizes only Beijing and has not historically supported formal Taiwanese independence, but has also stopped short of explicitly opposing it. Under U.S. law, Washington is required to provide Taiwan with weapons for its defense, but remains deliberately ambiguous on whether U.S. forces would intervene directly. Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te considers the island already independent, making a formal declaration unnecessary in his view.

Xi had opened the summit by warning Trump that missteps on Taiwan could push the two countries toward "conflict." Trump said he made "no commitment either way" on the issue after hearing Xi out.

What trade deals did Trump claim to have reached with China?

Trump said China agreed to purchase 200 Boeing aircraft as well as American oil and soybeans, describing the outcomes as "fantastic trade deals, great for both countries." The two leaders walked together among the rosebushes at Zhongnanhai, the central leadership compound near Beijing's Forbidden City. However, no formal announcements were made by Chinese officials or companies, and Trump offered no specific details.

Xi described the visit as a "milestone" and promised to send Trump rose seeds for the White House Rose Garden. Jacob Stokes, a senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, said the trip was more about tone than tangible outcomes. "Trump got the optics he was looking for and the Chinese were happy to give them to him," Stokes said.

What progress was made on Iran and Jimmy Lai?

Trump had delayed the China visit due to the ongoing U.S. conflict with Iran, which has resisted his appeals for a deal and tightened control over the Strait of Hormuz. Xi assured Trump that China was not preparing military aid for Iran, though Israel has alleged Beijing supplied key missile technology. China's foreign ministry released a separate statement calling for shipping lanes to "be reopened as soon as possible."

On Hong Kong pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai, Trump acknowledged he could not persuade Xi to free him. "He told me, Jimmy Lai is a tough one for him to do," Trump told reporters. Analyst Bonnie Glaser of the German Marshall Fund said China appeared to read the issue as a low priority for Washington, with Trump's primary focus appearing to be securing purchases of American goods.

The two sides had been expected to discuss extending the one-year tariff truce from their October meeting, but Trump said the topic "wasn't brought up" on the flight home. On the streets of Beijing, reaction was measured. "This meeting could be considered a success, though none of us really had very high expectations to begin with," said Zhang Yong, a 46-year-old IT worker.