US President Donald Trump has said he does not expect Chinese President Xi Jinping to take military action against Taiwan while he remains in office, claiming that US strength, economic pressure and personal leadership are restraining Beijing.
Speaking in an interview with The New York Times, the transcript of which was released on Sunday, Trump said he had clearly communicated his opposition to any such move to the Chinese leadership.
Asked whether China could apply the same logic used by Washington in Venezuela to act against Taiwan, Trump dismissed the idea outright.
“I don’t think he’s going to do it with me as president,” he said.
Acknowledging Xi’s long-standing position, Trump said the Chinese leader views Taiwan as part of China and as a symbol of national pride, but insisted that he had personally warned him against any action.
“I’ve expressed to him that I would be very unhappy if he did that,” Trump said, suggesting that any attempt to change the status quo was more likely after we have a different president.
Rejecting claims that US actions elsewhere could embolden Beijing, Trump argued that China does not face the same pressures he has cited to justify American interventions.
“You didn’t have people pouring into China. You didn’t have drugs pouring into China,” he said, drawing a sharp contrast with challenges facing the United States.
Throughout the interview, Trump repeatedly stressed that power and leadership drive deterrence rather than international organisations or alliances.
Claiming that China and Russia are not overly concerned about NATO itself, he said their focus is primarily on the United States.
Pointing to increased defence spending during his presidency, Trump said American military capability had restored global influence.
“We’re tremendously feared because I built the military,” he stated.
Scope for Future Nuclear Talks
Trump suggested that China could eventually join broader nuclear arms control negotiations as the existing US-Russia agreement approaches its expiry.
Revealing that he had spoken directly to Xi on the issue, Trump said he believed China ‘would be a willing participant’ in a future framework, despite Beijing’s public reluctance.
“If it expires, it expires,” he said of the current treaty, adding that he would prefer a new agreement that’s much better.
Highlighting energy as a key geopolitical tool, Trump argued that US dominance over oil supply routes provides Washington with significant economic leverage over China.
Responding to questions about what constrains his actions globally, Trump said outcomes depend on force, leverage and leadership rather than external checks.
Concluding his remarks, Trump suggested that China understands this approach, claiming Xi had been ‘impressed’ by recent US military operations and that personal strength, more than treaties alone, helps prevent escalation over Taiwan.
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