US President Donald Trump expressed skepticism that China would invade Taiwan, emphasizing his confidence in his relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping, whom he is set to meet later this month.
When asked about a Pentagon assessment suggesting Xi might aim to take Taiwan by 2027 — the self-governing democracy claimed by Beijing — Trump dismissed the idea.
"I think we'll be just fine with China. China doesn't want to do that," Trump told reporters during a meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Addressing Xi’s ambitions for Taiwan, Trump added: "Now that doesn't mean it's not the apple of his eye, because probably it is, but I don't see anything happening."
Although he stopped short of explicitly saying he would use force to defend Taiwan, Trump underscored that China is aware of U.S. military superiority. "We have the best of everything, and nobody's going to mess with that. And I don't see that at all with President Xi," he said.
"I think we're going to get along very well as it pertains to Taiwan and others," Trump added.
The upcoming meeting between Trump and Xi — their first since Trump began his second term — will take place in South Korea later this month during an Asia-Pacific summit.
Trump said his main goal was securing a "fair" trade agreement with China and declined to comment on whether U.S. support for Taiwan could be compromised as part of any deal.
"I want to be good to China. I love my relationship with President Xi. We have a great relationship," Trump said.
The United States formally recognizes only Beijing, not Taipei. After the Chinese civil war ended in 1949, the defeated nationalists fled to Taiwan, which has since evolved into a vibrant democracy and technological powerhouse.
U.S. law requires Washington to provide Taiwan with weapons for self-defense, but the U.S. maintains a policy of strategic ambiguity on whether it would intervene militarily if China attacked.
Trump’s predecessor, Joe Biden, repeatedly indicated he would order U.S. forces to act if China moved against Taiwan.
(With inputs from agencies)
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