Trump: I will not comment on whether China should not take Taiwan by force

Trump Declines to Comment on U.S. Policy Toward Taiwan

President Donald Trump refused to comment on whether his administration’s policy includes preventing China from taking control of Taiwan by force, when asked by a reporter during a Cabinet meeting at the White House on Wednesday.

“I never comment on that,” Trump responded. “I don’t comment on any—because I don’t want to ever put myself in that position. And if I said it, I certainly wouldn’t say it to you. I’d be saying it to other people, maybe people around this table.”

A Shift from Biden’s Approach

Trump’s refusal to clarify his stance marks a notable shift from former President Joe Biden, who repeatedly stated that the U.S. would intervene militarily if China were to invade Taiwan.

Traditionally, the U.S. has maintained a policy of strategic ambiguity, avoiding explicit security guarantees. The 1979 Taiwan Relations Act requires the U.S. to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself and opposes any unilateral changes to its status, but does not explicitly commit the U.S. to military intervention.

Trump’s Position on Taiwan and China

During his campaign, Trump suggested in an interview with Bloomberg News that Taiwan “should pay us for defense.”

On Wednesday, Trump emphasized his positive relationship with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and expressed optimism about U.S.-China trade relations.

“The relationship we’ll have with China will be a very good one,” Trump said.