Former President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Chinese President Xi Jinping, indicating that China will face significant consequences if it proceeds with any military action against Taiwan. During an interview, Trump stated that China “understands what will happen” in such a scenario, emphasizing that Xi Jinping is well-acquainted with the potential repercussions. “You’ll find out if it happens, and he understands the answer to that,” Trump declared. He expressed his surprise that the issue of Taiwan was not brought up by Xi in a recent meeting, attributing this to Xi’s deep understanding of the situation. Trump intentionally withheld details of his strategic approach to deterring a Taiwan invasion. “I can’t give away my secrets. I don’t want to be one of these guys that tells you exactly what’s going to happen if something happens,” he explained, adding that while he wouldn’t reveal his plans, China was not unaware of the potential outcomes. Trump also asserted that China had avoided any aggressive moves toward Taiwan during his presidency due to their awareness of the “consequences.” He cited instances where Chinese officials reportedly acknowledged they would refrain from taking action while he was in office, recognizing the potential fallout. In related developments, U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has voiced concerns regarding China’s increasingly assertive military presence in the Indo-Pacific, particularly around Taiwan and in the South China Sea. These concerns were communicated during a meeting with China’s Defense Minister in Malaysia, occurring in the wake of Trump’s discussions with Xi Jinping. Hegseth highlighted the imperative of maintaining regional stability and expressed the U.S. position on China’s actions that pose a threat to Taiwan and allied nations.
