The US and China have reached a “very good understanding” on Taiwan. American President Donald Trump said this at a briefing on the way from China; the White House published a video on YouTube.
At talks in Beijing on May 14-15, Chinese President Xi Jinping called on Trump to “have nothing to do” with what is happening on the island, which de jure remains Chinese territory.
“He doesn’t want to see a struggle for independence, because that would lead to a very serious confrontation. I listened to him and I respect his position very much,” says the American leader.
The head of the White House is confident that Beijing “does not want war,” but intends to return Taiwan and is “very determined.” The talks also discussed the sale of American weapons to Taiwan. Trump indicated he intended to “make a decision” on the matter after speaking with the island nation's leadership.
When asked by reporters whether the United States would defend Taiwan in the event of an attack by China, he replied that he did not want Washington to participate in a new war.
“Chairman Xi himself asked me this question today. I said, “I don’t discuss such things.”… The last thing we need now is a war 9,500 miles away,” he concluded.
