Trump paused arms supplies to Taiwan and made statements that questioned the US's readiness to defend it
"I'll put it this way: I don't want anyone to become independent," he said.
Meeting between Xi Jinping and Donald Trump in Beijing, May 15, 2026. Photo: Evan Vucci/Pool Photo via AP
US President Donald Trump, after his visit to China, warned Taiwan against declaring independence. At the same time, the head of the White House refused to give a clear answer to the question of whether he would sign a long-delayed package of American weapons for Taiwan, writes Fox News.
In the conversation, Trump detailed his negotiations with Xi Jinping and what they might mean for global security. The host asked the US President whether the people of Taiwan could feel safe after Trump's meetings with Xi.
Trump's response sounded ambiguous and could be interpreted as a US refusal to defend Taiwan.
"Taiwan is very important to him (Xi Jinping — NN). But it has always been the most important issue for them. And it's not an invasion. They just don't want this place, let's call it a place, because nobody knows how to define it, to become independent. They don't want that. And I think they'll probably do something pretty harsh, then there will be a harsh response, and bad things will happen. So no, that's not it.
By the way, we talked about this issue all night last night. I think I know more about Taiwan now than almost any other country. For him (Xi Jinping — NN) it has always been the most important, from the very day I met him many years ago. I've known him for 11-12 years. For him, the greatest achievement was always to win.
As for me, I don't think they'll do anything while I'm here. If I'm not here, I think they might do something if things stay as they are. But now they have a man (Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te — NN) who wants to be independent. Well, that's a risky move.
If you become independent, they go for it because they want to go to war and they think the United States will back them up. I would like things to stay as they are. And I'll tell you what, a little news flash: I'd like all the chip manufacturers from Taiwan to move to America, because, frankly, I think that's the best thing to do. Because the situation is tense, there's no doubt about it…
I'm not going to make a decision on arms supplies yet. No, I'm going to hold off on that for now.
And it depends on China. It depends. Frankly, it's a very good bargaining chip for us in negotiations. That's a lot of weapons. That's 12 billion dollars. That's a lot of weapons.
But, you know, if you look at the odds, China is a very, very powerful great country.
It's a very small island. Just think, it's 59 miles from there (from China — NN), 59 miles. And we are 9500 miles away. That's a pretty difficult task…
And I'll put it this way: it would be very smart for Taiwan to calm down a little. It would be very smart for China to calm down a little. Both of them should calm down."
Thus, Trump refused to give a clear answer regarding whether he would sign the long-delayed $14 billion American arms package for Taiwan. Although lawmakers pre-approved this package last year, the White House stalled its adoption.
In the event of a Chinese attack on Taiwan, the island would defend itself — possibly with the same determination as Ukraine against Russia. Such a war would lead to sanctions against China and the destruction of current global trade relations.
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