Trump warns Taiwan against independence push after Xi summit

President Donald Trump warned Taiwan on Thursday against pursuing formal independence, saying the United States will not back such a move following his summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing.

The statement is one of Trump's clearest policy signals yet on Taiwan's status — a flashpoint that shapes security dynamics across East Asia and directly affects South Korea, homeland to the largest diaspora community in Orange County.

Trump conveyed the warning during an interview with Fox News' Bret Baier after concluding talks with Xi in Beijing, according to The Korea Times.

"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. But we're not looking at somebody saying, 'let's go independent because the United States is backing us,'" Trump told Baier, Fox News reported.

Trump suggested Beijing would accept maintaining the current status quo on Taiwan's political standing, while declining to offer additional U.S. security commitments to the island.

Taiwan has long operated as a self-governing territory while Beijing claims sovereignty over it. Washington has historically maintained a policy of "strategic ambiguity" — neither endorsing independence nor accepting Chinese sovereignty claims — though Trump's remarks pointed toward a firmer stance against any independence declaration.

The Korea Times reported the statements followed broad-ranging talks between the two leaders aimed at managing tensions between the world's two largest economies, with Taiwan representing one of the most volatile sticking points in the relationship.

Trump did not specify what consequences Taiwan might face if it moved toward formal independence, nor did he detail the U.S. response if China took military action against the island.