By Enyichukwu Enemanna
US President Donald Trump on Friday warned Taiwan against declaring formal independence following his visit to China, where he held “good meeting” with President Xi Jinping in Beijing.
Xi had repeatedly pressed Washington against supporting independence for the island which Beijing claims as its territory.
Taiwan formed a key issue in the meeting between the two leaders.
The United States traditionally recognises only Beijing and does not support formal independence by Taiwan. Also, historically it has not openly say it’s against the independence of the self-ruled island.
Under US law, the Washington is required to provide weapons to Taiwan for its defence, but it has been ambiguous on whether US forces would come to the island’s aid.
Xi had begun his meeting with Trump with a warning on Taiwan, whose President Lai Ching-te considers the island already independent, making a formal declaration unnecessary.
Trump made clear he opposed a declaration of independence by Taiwan and appeared to question why the United States would defend the island in case of attack.
“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 host Brett Baier.
“I want them to cool down. I want China to cool down,” Trump said.
“We’re not looking to have wars, and if you kept it the way it is, I think China’s going to be OK with that.”
Xi had told Trump that missteps on the sensitive issue could push their two countries into “conflict”.
Trump ended his state visit claiming to have made “fantastic” trade deals, although the details were vague and he did not appear to secure any breakthrough with China over his stalemated war on Iran.
Trump invited Xi to pay a reciprocal visit to Washington in September, signalling that both sides will likely seek stability in the often-turbulent relationship between the world’s two largest economies.
