Washington: US President Donald Trump returned from his two-day summit in Beijing what he calls as G-2. Trump landed at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Friday evening, claiming to have achieved significant trade agreements, including the sale of 200 aircraft from Boeing to China, with a promise for an additional 750, besides support the American agriculture sector.
Interacting with the media on Friday during his flight home, Trump disclosed that Taiwan figured prominently in his talks with his Chinese counterpart. Xi does not want to see a fight for independence,” Trump said. “I didn’t make a comment on it. I heard him out.” Asked about future US arms sales to Taiwan, Trump replied: “I will make a determination over the next fairly short period.” Trump reluctance to commitments either way according to analysts explicitly reaffirmed support for Taiwan.
Besides Trump also claimed that the relationship with Xi was important and suggested that China may not resort to any aggressive moves over Taiwan, at least till he is in office.
The Taiwan issue remains the most explosive fault line in US-China relations. Beijinh regards Taiwan as a renegade province destined for reunification, by force if necessary, while Washington has maintained its ‘strategic ambiguity’ supporting Taiwan military without formally committing to war.
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has earlier said Taiwan never needed any formal declaration for being an independent nation as it already considers itself a sovereign country. US on both sides maintains diplomatic ties. China has repeatedly criticised Taiwan’s President Lai, calling him a “troublemaker” and a “destroyer of cross-strait peace”.
Last year, the Trump administration announced an $11 billion weapons package for Taiwan, including advanced rocket launchers and missiles. China strongly criticised the move. On being asked about the package this year, the US Prez said he would soon decide whether the sale would go ahead and added that he and Xi had discussed the matter “in great detail”.
Trumps visit to China wrapped in an elaborate ceremony but thin on substantial breakthrough hinting growing mistrust between the two large powers. The US President has invited Xi to the White House in September.
Trump may travel to Shenzhen in China for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in November. And Xi could come to the G-20 summit in December in Miami.
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