Trump takes credit for China putting off invading Taiwan

Donald Trump has asserted that Chinese President Xi Jinping personally assured him China would not invade Taiwan while he remains in the White House, as the U.S. leader continues to present himself as a global peacemaker.

Trump’s comments

Trump told Fox News that he “appreciates” Xi’s patience on the issue, which he compared to the the war between Russia and Ukraine. “I will tell you, you know, you have a very similar thing with President Xi of China and Taiwan, but I don’t believe there’s any way [an invasion is] going to happen as long as I’m here. We’ll see,” Trump said during an interview on Fox News’ Special Report aboard Air Force One. “He told me, ‘I will never do it as long as you’re president.’ President Xi told me that, and I said, ‘Well, I appreciate that.’ But he also said, ‘But I am very patient, and China is very patient.”

U.S. and China

For decades, the U.S. and its allies have sought to prevent Beijing from using force against Taiwan, which China claims as its own. Taiwan has repeatedly rejected China’s sovereignty claim, insisting on its right to self-govern. The Chinese embassy in Washington recently emphasized that Taiwan remains “the most important and sensitive issue” in China-U.S. relations but avoided direct reference to Trump’s remarks. “The U.S. government should adhere to the one-China principle and the three U.S.-China joint communique, handle Taiwan-related issues prudently, and earnestly safeguard China-US. relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait,” said embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu. Taiwan has not yet responded to Trump’s statement.

Trump’s call with Xi

Trump and Xi spoke by phone in June in what was their first confirmed conversation of the former reality star’s second term. Trump later stated that the Chinese leader had also contacted him in April, although he did not specify the exact date of that call.

Peace deal

Trump’s comments on Taiwan come as he renews promises to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, repeating his campaign pledge to end the war “within 24 hours” of retaking office. He has also claimed credit for reducing tensions in other conflicts this year including flare-ups between India and Pakistan, Cambodia and Thailand, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, and Serbia and Kosovo. By citing Xi’s assurances while pushing for a ceasefire in Ukraine, Trump continues to frame himself as a central figure in resolving global crises — a narrative he has tied to his pursuit of a Nobel Peace Prize.

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