Trump Warns China of “Consequences” if It Moves Against Taiwan:

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a strong warning to China, saying there would be “consequences” if Beijing ever attempted a military move against Taiwan. Speaking during an interview with CBS’s 60 Minutes, Trump said he believes Chinese President Xi Jinping “understands” those consequences very clearly. The remarks came shortly after Trump and Xi met on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea — a meeting that focused mainly on improving U.S.-China trade relations after years of tension. Trump emphasized that Taiwan was never brought up in their talks. “He never brought it up, because he understands it, and he understands it very well,” Trump said. When asked whether the United States would use military force to defend Taiwan if China invaded, Trump declined to give a direct answer. “You’ll find out if it happens,” he replied. “I can’t give away my secrets. But they understand what’s going to happen.” He went on to claim that Xi and his officials have already made it clear that they would not take any action against Taiwan during his presidency. “He has openly said, and his people have said, they would never do anything while President Trump is president — because they know the consequences,” Trump added. Trump’s comments reflect the long-standing tension surrounding Taiwan — a self-governed island that Beijing considers part of its territory. China has repeatedly vowed to reunify Taiwan with the mainland, even by force if necessary, while Taiwan continues to operate as a separate democratic government. The United States, under the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979, is committed to providing Taiwan with defensive arms and maintaining the ability to resist any force that threatens the island’s security or social stability. However, the Act stops short of guaranteeing that the U.S. would send troops to defend Taiwan — a deliberate policy known as “strategic ambiguity.” This approach has allowed Washington to deter Chinese aggression without directly committing to military conflict, while also reassuring Taiwan of continued support. Trump’s latest comments, though tough, fit within this traditional U.S. framework — keeping China uncertain about how far America would go in a crisis. The warning also comes at a time when U.S.-China ties appear to be improving. Both nations recently signaled a willingness to ease trade tensions and strengthen dialogue. Still, Taiwan remains the most sensitive and potentially explosive issue between the two global powers. Experts say Trump’s strategy of unpredictability — refusing to spell out how the U.S. would respond — is intentional. It keeps Beijing guessing and aims to deter China without escalating tensions publicly. “Trump’s ambiguity is deliberate,” said one analyst. “It projects strength while avoiding direct confrontation.” For Taiwan, Trump’s words may serve as both reassurance and caution. Washington continues to back Taipei’s defense capabilities, but real security ultimately depends on how China interprets the message. As the geopolitical rivalry between the United States and China deepens, Trump’s statement underscores that Taiwan remains a red line — one that could shape the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific for years to come. “China knows the consequences,” Trump reiterated — leaving the world to wonder exactly what those consequences might be.

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