BEIJING, China — U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday warned Taiwan against declaring formal independence after concluding his visit to China, where Chinese President Xi Jinping had pressed him not to support the self-ruling island.
Trump ended the state visit saying he had secured “fantastic” trade deals, though he provided few details and did not announce any major breakthrough on broader geopolitical disputes, including tensions involving Iran.
He also invited Xi for a reciprocal visit to Washington in September, signaling an effort by both sides to stabilize ties between the world’s two largest economies.
On Taiwan, Trump said he opposed any move toward formal independence and questioned the extent of U.S. willingness to defend the island in the event of conflict.
“I’m not looking to have somebody go independent. And, you know, we’re supposed to travel 9,500 miles to fight a war. I’m not looking for that,” he told Fox News.
He added, “I want them to cool down. I want China to cool down.”
Trump emphasized that the United States was “not looking to have wars,” suggesting a preference for maintaining the current status quo in the Taiwan Strait.
China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has repeatedly opposed any steps toward formal independence. The United States maintains a policy of strategic ambiguity: it does not recognize Taiwan as independent, but is legally required to provide it with defensive arms.
Xi warned during the summit that missteps on Taiwan could lead to “conflict.” Taiwan’s foreign ministry thanked Washington for reaffirming support for peace and stability in the region.
On trade, Trump said China had made an “initial commitment” to purchase 200 Boeing aircraft, with potential for further orders. He also said Beijing would buy American oil and soybeans, though no comprehensive agreements were publicly detailed.
“We’ve made some fantastic trade deals, great for both countries,” Trump said, adding that “a lot of different problems” had been resolved without offering specifics.
Xi described the visit as a “milestone” and exchanged symbolic gestures, including a promise to send rose seeds to the White House.
Despite the upbeat tone, most major announcements were limited, and no broader agreements were confirmed beyond Boeing’s initial commitment.
On Iran, Trump said Xi assured him that China was not preparing military aid for Tehran, though tensions remain high as global shipping and oil markets react to regional instability.
Trump also acknowledged he had not made progress on securing the release of imprisoned Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai, noting that Xi considered the issue “a tough one.”
Analysts said the summit appeared more focused on optics and stabilizing relations than producing concrete breakthroughs, with both sides signaling a desire to avoid further escalation while keeping core disputes unresolved.
