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U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed a clear stance against military conflict with China concerning Taiwan's independence, signaling a preference for diplomatic solutions and strategic negotiation.

In an interview with Fox News, Trump articulated his desire to avoid a scenario where Taiwan declares independence, subsequently requiring the U.S. to engage in a distant conflict. "I don't want anybody saying, 'We're going to declare independence, and by the way, you have to fight for us,'" Trump stated, referencing the complexities surrounding the Taiwan issue.

De-escalation and Strategic Patience

The American leader suggested that Beijing might refrain from taking aggressive action against the island if the current status quo is maintained. He reiterated the U.S. position, stating, "We don't want anybody saying, 'Let's declare independence because the United States is going to back us.'"

President Trump urged both China and Taiwan towards a more measured approach. "It would be very smart for Taiwan to have a little bit of restraint. It would be very smart for China to have a little bit of restraint," he advised.

Arms Sales as a Negotiation Lever

Furthermore, Trump revealed that the planned delivery of $12 billion worth of American weaponry to Taiwan has been temporarily halted. "I am postponing the decision for now, it all depends on China. Frankly, this is a very strong bargaining chip for us in negotiations," Trump explained. He highlighted the significant value of the arms deal, noting, "Twelve billion dollars is a lot of weaponry."

This move comes after previous statements from the U.S. President indicating he did not foresee the disagreements over Taiwan escalating into a full-blown conflict between the U.S. and China.

Beijing considers Taiwan an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China and insists on the "One China" principle as a prerequisite for diplomatic relations with other nations. The U.S. policy of selling arms to Taiwan has historically been a significant point of tension in Washington-Beijing relations.

This information was reported by Infohub.kz.