Trump Says Xi Pledged No Taiwan Action While He Was President

Former U.S. President Donald Trump said Chinese leader Xi Jinping assured him that Beijing would not take military action against Taiwan while Trump occupied the White House. The remark was made in a pre-recorded interview broadcast by Fox News, excerpts of which were released late Friday. Trump, who frequently highlighted a personal rapport with Xi during his 2017-21 term, cited the conversation as evidence that his administration deterred potential aggression in the Taiwan Strait. He did not specify when Xi delivered the assurance. The claim comes amid heightened tensions across the strait, with China conducting regular air and naval exercises around Taiwan and Washington expanding security ties with the island. Beijing regards Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to achieve unification. Trump’s comments have yet to draw a public response from Chinese officials.