Former President Donald Trump recently released a pledge from Chinese President Xi Jinping. He promised Trump that China would not invade Taiwan while Trump was in office. This assertion only serves to further complicate an already fragile trilateral relationship between the United States, Taiwan and China. Tensions over Taiwan’s status are at almost the highest point in decades.
In an interview on Fox News Friday, Trump described this June call with Xi in more detail. This controversial conversation was the first known contact between the two leaders during Trump’s second presidential term. The conversation focused narrowly on trade tariffs and a few other immediate priorities. Trump’s remarks about Taiwan have drawn significant attention as they coincide with impending talks between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
Taiwan, a close U.S. ally and fiercely independent, self-ruled island, is considered a breakaway province by authoritarian China. China has repeatedly stated its desire to “reunify” with Taiwan, by force if deemed necessary. Taiwan has long staunchly rejected China’s claims of sovereignty. It is fiercely independent and proud to be so, looking to punch above its weight on the world stage.
Specifically, Trump said that during their call, Xi indicated that China would be very patient on the reunification thing. He stated that Xi told him, “I will never do it as long as you’re president.” Trump’s reading of this commitment signals to us his doubts that an east Asian incursion was any sort of threat during his time in office.
“But I am very patient and [China] is very patient,” – Donald Trump
The United States has no formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan. However, Washington remains Taiwan’s main supplier of arms and supporter on the international stage in the face of increasing Chinese aggression. Trump’s remarks couldn’t have been more timely, as the geopolitical climate grows ever more volatile and precarious.