On Saturday, Oct. 25 U.S. President Donald Trump departed for a multi-nation trip to Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea, where he will attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings and hold a bilateral summit with communist Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Oct. 30.
Before boarding Air Force One, Trump made rare remarks about Taiwan, saying he would “talk about Taiwan” during his trip and adding that he has “great respect for Taiwan.” He also warned that any Chinese military action against Taiwan would be “very dangerous.”
Speaking to reporters before departing for Malaysia, Trump said his Asia visit would cover a broad range of issues — including trade, security, and regional stability.
“We’re going to talk about Taiwan. I have great respect for Taiwan,” he said.
Although he clarified that he does not plan to visit the island, Trump described Taiwan as “a partner worthy of respect,” signaling that the issue may feature prominently in upcoming discussions with Asian leaders and Xi Jinping.
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Warning to Beijing: ‘It would be very dangerous’
According to a recording released by the White House, Trump discussed Taiwan again aboard Air Force One.
Earlier in the week, he had said that Xi “probably has no intention” of launching a military operation against Taiwan. When asked by reporters why he believed that, Trump replied:
“I hope they won’t. We’ll have to see. Maybe they will, maybe they won’t — but I hope not.
I think it would be very dangerous for them if they did.”
When asked whether he might consider changing U.S. policy toward Taiwan, Trump avoided specifics: “I don’t want to talk about that right now. I don’t want to complicate things — this trip is already complicated enough, right?”
He then noted that China’s economy was facing serious headwinds, suggesting that Xi should focus on domestic challenges instead of escalating tensions.
“I think China wants a great decade ahead — they could have it. But they could also face some terrible years, and they don’t want that. We’re going to have a very good meeting.”
Analysts said Trump’s remarks served as a subtle economic warning to Beijing against taking aggressive actions toward Taiwan.
A focus on trade and security
According to The News Lens, Trump’s Asia itinerary focuses on regional security, technology cooperation, and supply-chain resilience.
He is expected to discuss rare-earth supplies, tariffs, and defense coordination with Japan and South Korea before meeting Xi in Seoul.
Observers note that Trump’s explicit mention of Taiwan before his departure has already made the trip a major focal point in U.S.–China diplomacy.
As of press time, the Taiwanese government has not officially commented on Trump’s remarks.
However, diplomatic analysts in Taipei said they are closely monitoring whether Taiwan’s security will be raised at the Trump–Xi meeting.
Chinese state media, meanwhile, maintained a cautious tone, repeating Beijing’s standard position: “The Taiwan question is an internal affair of China and brooks no external interference.”
By Liming
