TAIWAN FLASHPOINT! China Draws Red Line On Taiwan Ahead Of Trump's Visit

Added: 2026-05-12

[00:00:01][music] [music] [music] >> Right a few days before his China visit, US President Donald Trump says he will discuss future American arms sales to Taiwan with Chinese President Xi Jinping during high-stakes talks in Beijing later this week.

[00:00:37]Trump told reporters that Xi opposes US weapons transfers to Taiwan, >> [music] >> adding that the issue will be one of many things on the summit agenda.

[00:00:48]Do you expect Taiwan to come up in your meeting? Yeah, it always comes up.

[00:00:52]Uh very far away, very very far away.

[00:00:56]Just at 9,500 mi.

[00:01:00]We're 9,500 mi, he's 67 mi.

[00:01:04]It's a little bit of a difference, but you know, there's a lot of there's a lot of support for Taiwan from Japan and from countries from that area.

[00:01:13]>> Do you think we should still be selling them weapons? The United States should Well, I'm going to have that discussion with President Xi. President Xi would like us not to.

[00:01:21]Uh and I'll have that discussion. That's one of the many things I'll be talking about. We'll have a you know, he and I have gotten along well. Other than with COVID, I I you know, I was not uh I was I was just not accepting of what happened with COVID, but other than that, he and I have had a He's a great gentleman. I find him to be uh an amazing an amazing man.

[00:01:45]And then when I say that, the press always says, "Oh, that's terrible that he called it a You know, he runs 1.4 billion people with a pretty iron fist.

[00:01:53]He's uh he loves his country, I can tell you President Xi, I look forward to being there.

[00:02:00]And if he felt anything, we wouldn't we wouldn't be doing it.

[00:02:04]But I A lot of good things can happen.

[00:02:06]Now, we'll be talking about I mean, he'll bring up Taiwan.

[00:02:10]I think more than I will. But I I think that um a discussion will be a little bit about a little bit about energy and about the very beautiful country of Iran. Discussion will be a little bit about a little bit about energy and about the very beautiful country of Iran. Mr. P- Trump's remarks come as tensions over Taiwan remain one of the biggest flash points in US-China relations.

[00:02:44]Washington is legally committed to helping Taiwan defend itself.

[00:02:49]While Beijing claims the island as part of its territory and has repeatedly condemned American weapons sales.

[00:02:59]China firmly opposes and condemns such moves made by the >> During President Trump's visit to China, the two heads of state will have an in-depth exchange of views on China-US relations and other major issues concerning world peace and development.

[00:03:15]China's firm opposition to US arms sales to China's Taiwan region is consistent and clear.

[00:03:23]As to the Li Ching Wei's case, China has made its position clear more than once.

[00:03:33]The Trump administration approved a record weapons package for Taiwan worth more than 11 billion dollars in December, triggering sharp reactions from China and renewed military activity around the Taiwan Strait.

[00:03:48]Chinese officials are expected to press Trump to reduce or hold future arms transfers during the Beijing talks.

[00:03:58]Despite the tensions, Trump downplayed fears of a military confrontation over Taiwan.

[00:04:06]The US president said he believes conflict can be avoided and stressed that he maintains a strong personal relationship with Xi Jinping.

[00:04:16]Trump also pointed to regional backing for Taiwan from countries including Japan.

[00:04:25]Alongside Taiwan, Trump says discussions with Xi will also cover Iran, energy, and the case of jailed Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai.

[00:04:36]The summit marks Trump's first visit to China in nearly a decade and is being closely watched for signs of any shift in US policy toward Taiwan and the broader balance of power in Asia.

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