Former President Donald Trump said he declined to tell Chinese President Xi Jinping whether the U.S. would defend Taiwan from China [1].
This noncommittal stance comes amid heightened tensions between the two superpowers and an upcoming summit. The ambiguity regarding Taiwan's security creates significant uncertainty for Taipei as it navigates its relationship with both Washington and Beijing [4, 5].
Speaking during a press briefing in Washington on May 20, 2026 [3], Trump said the Chinese leader had specifically pressed him on the issue of military intervention. "That question was asked to me today by President Xi," Trump said [2].
When addressing the nature of his response, Trump said he refused to commit to a specific policy of defense. "I don't talk about whether US would defend Taiwan from China," Trump said [2].
Despite the refusal to provide a guarantee of defense to the Chinese president, Trump said he remains open to diplomatic communication with the island. He said that he intends to engage with Taiwan's leadership, stating, "I'll speak to him," in reference to Taiwan's president [2].
This diplomatic tension exists alongside significant material support for the region. The U.S. has provided an arms package for Taiwan valued at $14 billion [6]. This military aid serves as a tangible counterweight to the verbal ambiguity regarding a formal defense commitment.
The lack of a clear answer to President Xi suggests a strategy of strategic ambiguity, a long-standing U.S. policy intended to deter China from invading while simultaneously discouraging Taiwan from declaring independence, though Trump's personal approach to these negotiations may differ from previous administrations [4, 5].
“"I don't talk about whether US would defend Taiwan from China."”
By refusing to provide a definitive answer to President Xi, Trump is maintaining a version of strategic ambiguity that keeps Beijing uncertain about the U.S. response to an invasion. However, the contrast between his noncommittal rhetoric and the $14 billion arms package suggests a dual-track approach: providing the means for Taiwan to defend itself while avoiding a formal treaty-like guarantee that could escalate tensions before a summit.
