Trump Warns Taiwan Against Declaring Formal Independence

Washington DC. US President Donald Trump has warned Taiwan against formally declaring independence from China. 

Speaking to Fox News on Friday after a two-day summit with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Beijing, the US President said, 'I don't want to see anyone become independent.'

Earlier, Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te had said that Taiwan did not need to formally declare independence as Taiwan already considered itself a sovereign nation. The US has long supported Taiwan and is legally obliged to provide it with the means of self-defense. 

However, the US must balance this alliance to maintain diplomatic relations with China. Trump had previously stated that he was 'not committed to any side' regarding the self-governing island. China claims Taiwan as its territory and has not ruled out the possibility of using force if necessary.

Washington's established stance is not to support Taiwan's independence. Continued relations with Beijing depend on the acknowledgment that 'there is only one China.' Beijing dislikes Taiwan's President, calling him a 'troublemaker' and a 'person who destroys peace in the Taiwan Strait.'

Many Taiwanese consider themselves part of a separate nation. However, most citizens also favor maintaining the current status quo, where Taiwan does not declare independence from China and does not join China.

In an interview with Fox News, Trump reiterated that US policy on this issue has not changed. He said, 'You know, we have to travel 9,500 miles to fight a war. I don't want that. I want them to be peaceful. I want China to be peaceful too.'

Speaking to reporters on Air Force One on his way back to Washington, Trump said he and Xi had talked 'a lot' about Taiwan, but refused to discuss whether the US would defend Taiwan or not. Trump said Xi was 'very sensitive' about Taiwan and 'did not want to see a movement for independence.'

According to Chinese state media, during the talks, Xi warned, 'The Taiwan question is the most important and sensitive issue in China-US relations. If handled improperly, it could lead to confrontation or even conflict between the two countries.' Regarding the question of whether there is a possibility of conflict with China over Taiwan, Trump said, 'No. I don't think so. I think we will be fine. Xi does not want war.'

China has increased military exercises around the island in recent years, increasing tensions in the region and testing the balance maintained by Washington.

Late last year, the Trump administration announced the sale of $11 billion worth of weapons to Taiwan, including advanced rocket launchers and various missiles, which Beijing condemned. Trump said he would soon decide whether to proceed with the arms sale or not, and that he had discussed the matter 'in detail' with Xi.

He added, 'I have to talk to the person who is running Taiwan right now, you know who that is.'

The US does not have formal relations with Taiwan, although it maintains significant unofficial relations. US presidents traditionally do not speak directly with Taiwanese leaders, and doing so could cause significant tension with Beijing. Beijing considers Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te a separatist.

Trump told Fox News, 'We don't want war, and if you keep it as it is, I think China will accept it. But we don't want to see anyone come and say, 'America is supporting us, so let's be independent.'

The US had previously faced China's anger after appearing to soften its stance on independence. The US State Department removed a statement from its website reiterating Washington's opposition to Taiwan's independence in February 2025. Beijing called it a 'wrong message to separatist forces.'

US officials in Taiwan at the time said, 'We have long said that we oppose unilateral changes to the status quo by any party.'

Taiwan's Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung said his team was monitoring the US-China summit and maintaining good communication with the US and other countries to 'steadily deepen Taiwan-US relations and protect Taiwan's interests.' 

He stated that Taiwan has always been a 'protector of peace and stability' in the region and accused China of increasing 'risk' through its 'aggressive military actions and authoritarian suppression' risk.