"Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said he and Xi discussed Taiwan, with China's leader telling him he opposed independence for the self-governing island Beijing claims as its own. I heard him out. I didn't make a comment, Trump said. I made no commitment either way. Shortly after greeting Trump on Thursday, Xi had called Taiwan the most important issue in China-US relations. If mishandled, the two nations could collide or even come into conflict, pushing the entire China-US relationship into a highly perilous situation, Xi added."
"Trump told reporters on Friday he had not made a decision on US arms sales to Taiwan, an issue with deep support within the US Congress that Beijing vehemently opposes. The US does not have official ties with Taiwan, but has for years provided billions of dollars in military aid. It acknowledges, but does not endorse, Beijing's territorial claim to the island. US lawmakers have approved a massive new weapons sale to Taipei, which still requires Trump's sign-off. I will make a determination, Trump told reporters. I'll be making decisions."
"But, you know, I think the last thing we need right now is a war that's 9,500 miles [15,289km] away. For its part, Taiwan's foreign minister said on Friday that Taipei would"
Trump departed China after a three-day trip that featured trade deals and ceremonial events. Both sides described the visit as successful, though their accounts of agreements differed. Trump said he and Xi discussed Taiwan, with Xi opposing independence for the island. Trump stated he had not made a decision on US arms sales to Taiwan and said he would make determinations while avoiding a distant war. Xi warned that mishandled Taiwan issues could lead to collision or conflict and endanger China-US relations. Trump also said he was not asking for favors on Iran, while the trip showed limited progress on key issues involving Taiwan and the Iran-related US-Israeli conflict.
#united-states-china-relations #taiwan-arms-sales #us-taiwan-relations #china-taiwan-tensions #iran-conflict
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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