In a development that has reignited debate over the future of Taiwan and the delicate balance of power in East Asia, United States President Donald Trump declared on November 3, 2025, that Chinese President Xi Jinping personally assured him China would not pursue any action to unify Taiwan with the mainland during Trump’s presidency. The claim, made public during a high-profile interview with CBS, has stirred both reassurance and skepticism among policymakers, analysts, and citizens on both sides of the Pacific.
The assurance reportedly came during the two leaders’ first in-person meeting in six years, which took place in South Korea on October 30, 2025. According to Trump, the meeting’s agenda was dominated by US-China trade tensions, and the topic of Taiwan “never even came up as a subject.” Yet, speaking to CBS, Trump doubled down on his confidence in Xi’s commitment, stating, “He has openly said, and his people have openly said at meetings, ‘We would never do anything while President Trump is president,’ because they know the consequences.”
Pressed on whether he would order US military intervention if China attempted to take Taiwan by force, Trump maintained the long-standing US policy of ambiguity. “You’ll find out if it happens, and he understands the answer to that,” he told CBS, adding, “I can’t give away my secrets. The other side knows.” This approach, often referred to as “strategic ambiguity,” has been a hallmark of US policy under both Republican and Democratic administrations.
Beijing’s response was swift and unequivocal. Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, issued a statement on November 3, 2025, reiterating China’s unwavering stance: “China will never allow any person or force to separate Taiwan from China in any way. The Taiwan question is China’s internal affair, and it is the core of China’s core interests. How to resolve the Taiwan question is a matter for the Chinese people ourselves, and only the Chinese people can decide it.” Liu, speaking to the Associated Press, did not confirm whether President Xi had given Trump the assurance described.
Taiwan, a self-governing island democracy, has long stood at the center of tensions between the US and China. Beijing claims Taiwan as part of its territory, while the US, though not formally recognizing Taiwan as a sovereign nation, has maintained robust unofficial relations with the island. According to NewsBytes and the Associated Press, US officials have for years harbored concerns that China might resort to military force to bring Taiwan under its control.
The framework guiding US relations with Taiwan is the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act. This legislation obligates Washington to ensure that Taiwan has the means to defend itself but stops short of requiring the US to intervene militarily should an invasion occur. This carefully crafted ambiguity is designed to deter both a unilateral declaration of independence by Taiwan and an aggressive move by Beijing, all while maintaining a precarious peace in the region.
Trump’s remarks have stirred considerable discussion in diplomatic circles and the media. Some see his confidence in Xi’s assurances as a sign of effective personal diplomacy, while others caution that such statements, absent concrete commitments, may not alter the underlying strategic realities. The White House, for its part, has not clarified the exact timing or circumstances under which Xi or other Chinese officials offered the supposed assurance, leaving room for speculation and concern.
“The Taiwan question is China’s internal affair,” Liu Pengyu emphasized in his statement, underscoring Beijing’s long-held position. “How to resolve the Taiwan question is a matter for the Chinese people ourselves.” This rhetoric is consistent with China’s past statements, which have consistently rejected any outside interference on the issue of Taiwan’s status.
For the US, the question of whether to defend Taiwan militarily has always been a thorny one. The policy of strategic ambiguity aims to keep both Beijing and Taipei guessing, theoretically deterring provocative actions by either side. When asked directly if he would send US forces to defend Taiwan, Trump’s reply—“You’ll find out if it happens”—was classic ambiguity, reflecting a tradition that stretches back decades.
Meanwhile, the people of Taiwan continue to live with the uncertainty that comes from being at the center of a geopolitical tug-of-war. The island has developed its own democratic institutions and identity, but the specter of Chinese military action has never been far from the minds of its leaders and citizens. According to the BBC and NewsBytes, US officials remain vigilant, monitoring Chinese military activities and diplomatic maneuvers for any sign that Beijing’s patience is wearing thin.
Trump’s interview with CBS, which marked his first appearance on the network since settling a major lawsuit with CBS News, added another layer of intrigue. The lawsuit stemmed from a contentious interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris, which Trump alleged was deceptively edited to benefit the Democratic Party before the 2024 presidential election. Initially seeking $10 billion in damages and later raising the amount to $20 billion, Trump ultimately settled the case, clearing the way for his return to the network’s airwaves.
As the world watches, the triangular relationship between the US, China, and Taiwan remains as complex and fraught as ever. Trump’s assertion that China will not act against Taiwan during his presidency may provide some reassurance to those worried about imminent conflict, but the lack of official confirmation from Beijing and the White House’s silence on the matter leave room for doubt.
In the end, the fate of Taiwan may depend less on personal assurances exchanged behind closed doors and more on the enduring policies and interests of the great powers involved. The US commitment to Taiwan’s self-defense, China’s insistence on reunification, and Taiwan’s own aspirations for autonomy will continue to shape the region’s future—one where ambiguity, for better or worse, remains the order of the day.
