Trump says Xi told him China would not invade Taiwan while he is president

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that Chinese President Xi Jinping assured him China would not invade Taiwan during Trump’s presidency, adding that Xi described himself and China as “very patient.”

Trump made the comments in a Fox News interview ahead of talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the war in Ukraine.

“I don’t believe there’s any way it’s going to happen as long as I’m here,” Trump said. “He told me, ‘I will never do it as long as you’re president.’ President Xi told me that, and I said, ‘Well, I appreciate that,’ but he also said, ‘But I am very patient, and China is very patient.’”

The Chinese Embassy in Washington did not respond to a request for comment.

Trump and Xi held their first confirmed call of Trump’s second term in June. Trump also said in April that Xi had called him but did not say when.

China claims Taiwan as its own territory and has pledged to “reunify” with the island, by force if necessary. Taiwan rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims.

The United States, while Taiwan’s main arms supplier and international supporter, has no formal diplomatic ties with the island, in line with most countries.

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