Former President Trump recently sat down for a revealing interview with Norah O’Donnell of '60 Minutes,' marking his first appearance on the program in five years.
The conversation centered heavily on his recent diplomatic trip to Asia and the crucial trade discussions held with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The stakes were undeniably high, with global economic stability potentially hanging in the balance.
O’Donnell directly questioned Trump about the escalating tensions surrounding Taiwan, framing it as a potential flashpoint in US-China relations. She pressed him on a critical point: would he commit US forces to defend Taiwan if China were to invade?
Trump’s response was characteristically ambiguous, stating, “You’ll find out if it happens. And [Xi] understands the answer to that.” This carefully worded reply left the question unanswered, yet hinted at a firm understanding between the two leaders.
Interestingly, Trump claimed that Xi Jinping never even raised the issue of Taiwan during their meetings, a detail he noted surprised many observers. He suggested China is acutely aware of the repercussions of any aggressive action towards the island.
When pressed by O’Donnell to explicitly state the consequences, Trump refused to divulge specifics, playfully rebuffing her request with, “I can’t give away my secrets!” He maintained a strategic ambiguity, asserting that China already understands the potential outcomes.
Trump further asserted that during his presidency, Chinese officials openly acknowledged they would refrain from any actions concerning Taiwan, recognizing the potential ramifications. He claimed they explicitly stated, “We would never do anything while President Trump is president.”
He emphasized that this understanding stemmed from China’s clear perception of the consequences, a message he believes was effectively conveyed. The former president remained tight-lipped about the precise nature of those consequences, preserving a level of strategic uncertainty.
