‘No War with China 9,500 Miles Away’: Trump Calls Taiwan a ‘Problem’ for the US

New Delhi: US President Donald Trump has described Taiwan as a complex problem for the United States, citing China’s military might and its geographical proximity to the island as the reasons. Following a two-day summit in Beijing with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Trump also cautioned Taiwan against taking steps toward formal independence.

Upon returning from Beijing, Donald Trump stated that the United States does not wish to travel 9,500 miles to fight a war with China. However, he also clarified that Washington’s long-standing support for Taiwan would continue.

Trump remarked, “If you look at the probabilities, China is an extremely powerful and large country, whereas Taiwan is a small island. We are 9,500 miles away. I believe Taiwan should remain somewhat quiet, and China, too, should exercise restraint.”

Referring to Taiwan’s independence movement and the potential for conflict with China, he added, “I do not want anyone to declare independence and force us to travel 9,500 miles to fight a war.”

It is worth noting that, under the “One China Policy,” the United States acknowledges China’s position that Taiwan is part of China, yet it has never formally recognized Beijing’s claim of sovereignty over the island.

Trump’s comments regarding Taiwan came at a time when he had just concluded his high-profile visit to China. The Taiwan issue, trade tensions, and the conflict involving Iran were the key agenda items during this tour. This marked Trump’s first visit to China in nine years.

Meanwhile, Taiwan’s Deputy Foreign Minister has stated that only the people of Taiwan have the right to democratically decide their own future. The true intent behind Trump’s remarks—made during his interactions with Taiwanese leaders—remains to be fully understood. The Deputy Minister affirmed that Taiwan remains committed to maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.