As he headed to Asia for a diplomatic swing anticipated to incorporate a gathering with Chinese chief Xi Jinping, Donald Trump appeared cautious of responding to questions from reporters on one of many thorniest points in US-China relations: Taiwan.
Trump confirmed that the self-ruling democracy can be amongst subjects mentioned in the upcoming assembly with Xi, anticipated to happen on the sidelines of the APEC summit in South Korea subsequent week.
But the US president had little to say on the topic when pressed by reporters touring on Air Force One.
Asked whether or not he would take into account altering US coverage on Taiwan, Trump stated he didn’t “want to talk about that now.”
The US president additionally stated it “would be very dangerous” for China to make any transfer on Taiwan, when requested by a reporter why he had earlier stated he didn’t assume China wished to invade the island.
Here’s some background: China’s ruling Communist Party claims self-governing Taiwan as its personal, regardless of by no means having dominated it, and has vowed to take management of it, by drive if essential. Beijing in latest years has ramped up its army, financial and diplomatic strain on Taipei.
The US maintains an in depth unofficial relationship with Taiwan and is required by regulation to offer it with the means for its protection – a relationship that irks Chinese officers and is seen by Beijing as essentially the most delicate challenge amongst a bunch of frictions with the US.
Under Washington’s longstanding “One China” coverage, the US acknowledges China’s place that Taiwan is a part of China however has by no means formally acknowledged Beijing’s declare to the island of 23 million individuals. Washington has lengthy maintained a coverage that that it doesn’t help Taiwan’s independence.
Analysts consider that Xi hopes for a key concession from Trump: a change in US coverage to “oppose Taiwan independence.”