Donald Trump avoided addressing reporters’ questions about Taiwan while in Beijing for meetings with Chinese president Xi Jinping.
Taiwan has remained a major flashpoint between China and Western governments, including the United States, for years.
Concerns persist that Beijing could one day attempt to take control of the island by force. While China has not publicly initiated an invasion, some analysts have argued it has closely monitored the global reaction to Russia’s war in Ukraine to understand how international pressure and consequences might unfold in a similar scenario.
With cross-strait tensions continuing to weigh on US-China relations, journalists sought clarity on whether Taiwan came up during Trump’s closed-door discussions with Xi in Beijing.
Trump, however, declined to respond when pressed on the subject.
After the talks, Trump visited the Temple of Heaven, where reporters questioned him about the trip. One asked: “How were your talks, sir?”
He answered: “Great – a great place. Incredible. China is beautiful.”
A second journalist then called out: “Did you talk about Taiwan Mr President?”
This time, Trump offered no reply and moved on without addressing the question.
During the visit, Trump also spoke warmly about Xi, telling him it was ‘it’s an honor to be your friend’.
“You’re a great leader. Sometimes people don’t like me saying it, but I say it anyway, because it’s true,” said Trump.
“It’s an honor to be with you. It’s an honor to be your friend.”
Trump also said: “The relationship between China and the USA is going to be better than ever before.”
Xi has previously emphasized Taiwan’s central importance to Beijing, warning that Washington’s stance could place ‘the entire relationship in jeopardy’ and raise the risk of ‘conflicts’.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning also weighed in publicly, writing that ‘the Taiwan question is the most important issue in China-U.S. relations,’ describing it as pivotal to maintaining stable ties.
Mao Ning added: “If it is handled properly, the bilateral relationship will enjoy overall stability. Otherwise, the two countries will have clashes and even conflicts, putting the entire relationship in great jeopardy.”
Xi, meanwhile, struck a more restrained tone—framing the relationship as one that should prioritize cooperation, even as the message underscored the high stakes between two powerful nations.
“Cooperation benefits both sides, while confrontation harms both,” Xi Jinping said.
“The two countries should be partners rather than rivals, achieve success together and pursue common prosperity, and chart a correct path for major-country relations in the new era.”