US President Donald Trump said he believes Chinese President Xi Jinping would refrain from attempting to seize Taiwan during his term, arguing that Beijing would avoid such a step under his leadership. Speaking in an interview with The New York Times, Trump dismissed speculation that Washington’s recent military operation in Venezuela could embolden China, stressing that the two situations are fundamentally different.
Trump rejects precedent claims
Addressing questions about whether the US operation and the detention of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro set a global example, Trump said Venezuela posed a direct security challenge to the United States. He claimed the situation involved issues such as gang activity and cross-border crime, adding that China does not face comparable pressures along its borders.
Message to Beijing over Taiwan
Trump acknowledged that China views Taiwan as a separatist issue but said he had made his position clear to Xi. “I’ve expressed that I would be very unhappy if that happened,” he said, adding that he does not expect Beijing to act while he is president, though he suggested the calculation could change under a different US administration.
Long-standing dispute in East Asia
China considers Taiwan a breakaway province, while the island has governed itself since 1949. The status of Taiwan remains one of the most sensitive flashpoints in East Asia, watched closely by regional actors and countries such as Türkiye that consistently call for restraint, dialogue and the avoidance of steps that could destabilize global security.