"I'm not looking to have somebody go independent and, you know, we're supposed to travel 9,500 miles to fight a war."
Beijing, China — During a state visit to Beijing, US President Donald Trump stated his opposition to Taiwan declaring independence from China. In an interview with Fox News, he questioned why the US would send military support in the event of an invasion, saying, "I'm not looking to have somebody go independent and, you know, we're supposed to travel 9,500 miles to fight a war." He also expressed a desire for both sides to "cool down."
Taipei, Taiwan — Taiwan's foreign ministry responded to Trump's comments, thanking him for his support in peace efforts but reasserting the island's status as a "sovereign democratic country." The ministry stated that "Beijing has no right to claim jurisdiction over Taiwan" and that Taiwan's government would "continue to deepen cooperation with the United States, maintain peace through strength, and ensure that the security and stability of the Taiwan Strait are not threatened or undermined."
Background
China views Taiwan as a breakaway province that must be reunified with the mainland, and Chinese President Xi Jinping has not ruled out the use of force. A spokesperson for Xi stated that Taiwan is the "most important issue in China-U.S. relations."