President Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Friday that he made no commitment on Taiwan during his summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, leaving key questions about U.S. policy unresolved.
“On Taiwan, he feels very strongly, I made no commitment either way,” Trump said, referring to Xi’s stance. The remarks came after Chinese officials insisted they pressed the issue, warning that taking sides would damage bilateral ties.
Trump’s deliberate vagueness on Taiwan—a perennial flashpoint in U.S.-China relations—mirrors his broader approach during the two-day meeting. China has long claimed the island as its own, while the U.S. maintains unofficial ties with Taipei and provides defense and economic support without recognizing its independence.
Lawmakers from both parties have urged Trump to approve a $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan, a package that has been in limbo. When asked about it Friday, Trump said he would “make a determination over the next fairly short period of time.” He declined to answer whether he would defend Taiwan militarily, stating, “I’m not going to say that. There’s only one person that knows that and you know who it is? Me. That question was asked to me today by President Xi. I said I don’t talk about that.”
Trump’s evasiveness has fueled speculation about the future of U.S.-Taiwan ties, especially given Xi’s warnings during the summit. According to Chinese readouts, Xi called Taiwan “the most important issue in China-U.S. relations” and warned that the “entire relationship” between Washington and Beijing would be jeopardized if the “Taiwan question” is mishandled.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in an interview Thursday, maintained that U.S. policy on Taiwan had not changed. “We always make clear our position, and we move on to the other topics,” he said.
The summit’s outcome has also drawn attention to Trump’s broader foreign policy approach, including recent tensions with allies and his administration’s stance on international norms. The president’s handling of Taiwan is likely to be scrutinized alongside other contentious issues, such as his claims that Xi pledged no arms to Iran—a statement Beijing has denied.
As Trump returns to Washington, the arms sale decision remains a key test of his administration’s commitment to Taiwan. Critics argue that the lack of clarity could embolden Beijing, while supporters see it as strategic ambiguity. Either way, the president’s refusal to commit has left both Taipei and Washington guessing about the next move.
