Donald Trump says Xi Jinping understands the “consequences” of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan
Donald Trump has said that his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, understands the “consequences” of a potential invasion of Taiwan by China. At the same time, the American president refused to specify whether the US would defend the island in the event of an attack, according to a fragment of an interview broadcast on Sunday by CBS, reports AFP.
Donald Trump says he would not discuss Taiwan with Xi Jinping. PHOTO collage EPA
“You'll know if it happens, and he understands the answer to that question“, answered Trump. asked if the US would intervene in the event of a potential military attack by Beijing against Taiwan, according to the international agency, quoted by Agerpres.
The American president added that the Chinese leader understands “consequences” such an intervention.
China claims sovereignty over the island, while the US remains Taiwan's strongest supporter.
However, the White House leader had stated a few days earlier that during his meeting with Xi Jinping on Thursday in Busan (South Korea), Taiwan “never mentioned”.
“This topic has not been discussed”added the American president.
“They will never do anything as long as Trump is president”
In an interview Friday and aired Sunday on CBS' 60 Minutes, Trump said he could not “reveal its secrets” specifying that “the other side is aware”.
The US President also stated that Xi Jinping and his entourage have “declared open” that “they will never do anything as long as Trump is president because they know the consequences.”
Taiwan's autonomy continues to fuel tensions between China and the US, which Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping appeared to avoid during their meeting in Busan, focusing instead on de-escalating the trade war between Washington and Beijing.
