US President Donald Trump warned Taiwan against declaring independence after his trip to China. At the same time, he did not answer unequivocally whether he would approve a long-delayed package of US military aid to the island. Trump said this in an interview with Fox News.
During the conversation, the US president described in detail his talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and explained how these contacts could affect global security issues. The host asked Trump whether the people of Taiwan could feel protected after his meetings with Xi.
“Nothing has changed. “I’ll put it this way: I don’t want anyone to become independent. And, you know, we’re going to have to travel 9,500 miles to go to war. I don’t want that. I want them to calm down. I want China to calm down,” Trump said.
According to China’s Foreign Ministry, Xi Jinping also expressed reservations about Taiwan. He warned that in the future there could be “clashes and even conflicts” with the United States around the island.
Trump did not give a direct answer when asked whether he would sign a $14 billion US arms package for Taiwan. Lawmakers had tentatively approved it last year, but the White House has stalled the move.
“I may do it. I may not do it. We don’t want wars. If we leave things as they are, I think China will accept it. But we don’t want someone to say, ‘Let’s declare independence because the United States supports us,’” — Trump said, responding to a question about the possible approval of the arms package.
Previously, Trump has said that China will not attack Taiwan as long as he is president of the United States.
