Trump Warns Xi Jinping of ‘Consequences’ if China Invades Taiwan

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that Chinese President Xi Jinping “understands the consequences” of any attempt by China to invade Taiwan, though he stopped short of confirming whether the United States would directly intervene militarily in such a scenario.

Speaking in an excerpt from a CBS News interview aired on Sunday, Trump said Beijing was fully aware of the potential fallout of an assault on the self-ruled island, which China claims as its territory.

“Xi understands the consequences,” Trump said when asked about the rising tensions across the Taiwan Strait. “He knows what would happen.”

However, when pressed on whether the U.S. would defend Taiwan in the event of an invasion, Trump declined to give a direct answer, instead stressing the importance of deterrence through strength.

“I don’t talk about what I would or wouldn’t do,” he added. “But I can tell you, under my administration, China wouldn’t even think about it.”

The remarks come amid heightened geopolitical tensions between Washington and Beijing, particularly over Taiwan’s security and the increasing frequency of Chinese military activities near the island.

During his presidency, Trump took a harder stance on China, imposing tariffs and strengthening diplomatic and military ties with Taiwan. His latest comments reflect ongoing debate within U.S. political circles about how to respond to potential Chinese aggression, as the island remains a flashpoint in U.S.-China relations.

While the Biden administration has stated that it remains committed to the “One China” policy, President Joe Biden has previously said the United States would defend Taiwan if attacked comments that drew sharp rebukes from Beijing.

Trump’s latest warning underscores the enduring strategic uncertainty surrounding U.S. policy toward Taiwan and signals that the issue will likely remain a central point of contention in both international diplomacy and the 2024 U.S. presidential race.