Following his high-profile three-day summit in Beijing, President Donald Trump made clear he does not want to get into a war with China over Taiwan.
“I’m not looking to have somebody to go independent and, you know, we’re supposed to travel 9,500 miles to fight a war,” Trump told Fox News’ Bret Baier. “I’m not looking for that. I want them to cool down. I want China to cool down.”
When asked about U.S. weapons sales to the island, Trump said: “We’re gonna see what happens.” In December, the administration authorized an $11 billion weapons package for Taipei, but it can’t be finalized until Trump passes it to Congress.
Taiwan has proven a perennial sore-spot in U.S.-China relations. Beijing sees Taiwan as a breakaway part of mainland China that must be unified. Taiwan, however, is a self-governing democracy. The U.S. does not recognize Taiwan as a sovereign state, but it is legally obligated to help the island defend itself.
During his summit in Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping warned Trump of “clash or even conflict” if the Taiwan issue is mishandled, saying that it can push China-US relations into "a very dangerous place”.
Earlier, Trump claimed he and Xi have agreed on how they want to end the Iran war, and tha Xi offered his assistance in negotiating a deal.
Xi hailed the two-day summit as “historic”, adding: “Together, we affirmed the new position of a constructive, strategic and stable China-US relationship."
Key Points
- Trump says China and Taiwan should 'cool down'
- In pictures: Trump boards Air Force One
- Trump says he 'settled a lot of different problems' with Xi
- Trump says he made 'fantastic trade deals' with China
- Trump dodges question on China's stance on Iran having nuclear weapon
Ro Khanna 'concerned' about Taiwan following Trump visit to China
01:30 , Mike BediganCalifornia Democrat Ro Khanna has said his "concerned” about Taiwan following Donald Trump's meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
"The reality is, as people know, that China is tightening the noose around Taiwan,” he told CBS News.
Watch part of the interview below:
Rep. Ro Khanna (R-CA) says he's "concerned about" Taiwan following President Trump's trip to China to meet with President Xi Jinping.
— CBS News (@CBSNews) May 15, 2026
"The reality is, as people know, that China is tightening the noose around Taiwan; they have more of their ships patrolling the Taiwanese… pic.twitter.com/PT4PKa3bCg
Watch: Trump says he doesnt want to 'travel 9000 miles to fight a war' when asked about defending Taiwan
00:30 , Mike BediganDonald Trump says that China did not “threaten” the U.S. over changing its stance on Taiwan, despite ominous communications but out by President Xi Jinping’s communications team following the first meeting between the two leaders Thurdsay.
“The Taiwan question is the most important issue in China-U.S. relations,” Xi’s spokesperson Mao Ning wrote on X. “If it is handled properly, the bilateral relationship will enjoy overall stability. Otherwise, the two countries will have clashes and even conflicts, putting the entire relationship in great jeopardy.”
Asked if that message had been conveyed as a threat, Trump told Bret Baier: “No it wasn’t not at all, but it’s always been the most important issue.
"It's not a take over, they just don't want to see this place – we'll call it a place, because nobody knows how to define it – but they don't want to see it go independent,” he said.
Trump describes China visit as 'fantastic success'
00:00 , Mike BediganAsked how he viewed the visit to China overall, Trump described it as a “fantastic success.”
“Look, we're two very powerful countries. I call it the G2 because nobody comes close,” he said, closing out his interview with Fox News’ Bret Baier.
“We are more powerful than China. We were heading in the wrong direction. We were going to be a failed nation... I was congratulated by President Xi... he said ‘I’ve never seen anything like it.’
“I like him, he likes me. That's a good thing, you know. You have two very powerful nuclear nations, and having good relations at the top is very important.”
President Xi is due to visit the U.S. in September, Trump added.
Trump does 'not feel optimistic' about the release of media tycoon Jimmy Lai
23:50 , Mike BediganSpeaking to Fox News’ Bret Baier, Trump boasted of his ability to get people held by foreign nations released from jail without paying money – which he claimed former President Joe Biden had done.
The said he is "optimistic" that Chinese President Xi Jinping might free Ezra Jin, a pastor who was detained on allegations that he led a secret church network.
However he said the response to inquiry about the release of jailed media tycoon Jimmy Lai was “not positive.”
"He went through a whole thing, and I said, ‘well, I would appreciate if you would release him,” Trump told Baier. “He’s gotten old, and he’s probably not feeling too well. It would be nice... and I did not feel optimistic.”
Xi Jinping told Trump he had performed 'a miracle,' Trump says
23:41 , Mike BediganDonald Trump claimed that Chinese Xi Jinping said he had performed “a miracle” with regard to turning round the fortunes of the U.S.
“President Xi said something yesterday,” he told Fox News’ Bret Baier.
“He talked about, and he wasn't referring to the last 15 months, he talked about America as a nation in decline, and I said, 'You're right,’ but he wasn't talking about [now] because he said what you've done in 14-15 months is a miracle.”
Donald Trump said Americans will face “short-term pain” with regard to gas prices, which have risen consistently in recent months since the start of the Iran war in February.
The president was asked specifically about his answer when asked if he considered the financial situations of everyday Americans when considering his policy abroad.
“I don’t think about American financial situations at all,” Trump said at the time, shortly before his departure for China.
Speaking to Baier, Trump reiterated that he had given a “perfect” answer.
“That's a perfect sentence. I'd say it again,” Trump said. “It's going to be short-term pain, but the pain is much less than people thought.”
Trump added that once the Strait of Hormuz was reopened, gas prices would drop “like a rock.”
People of Taiwan should feel 'neutral' after US-China talks, says Trump
23:30 , Mike BediganAsked by Baier if the people of Taiwan should feel more or less secure after the talks between the U.S. and China, Trump replied “neutral.”
“Has the policy changed?” Baier pushed.
“No, nothing. Nothing has changed,” Trump replied.
Trump says China and Taiwan should 'cool down'
23:24 , Mike BediganDuring his interview with Baier, President Trump said that China and Taiwan should both “cool down.”
“I’m not looking to have somebody to go independent and, you know, we’re supposed to travel 9,500 miles to fight a war,” Trump told Baier. “I’m not looking for that. I want them to cool down. I want China to cool down.”
Beijing sees Taiwan as a breakaway part of mainland China that must eventually be unified. Taiwan is a self-governing democracy, and polls indicate the public largely does not want to be ruled by Xi Jinping.
The U.S. formally recognizes the People's Republic of China as the government of China, and it does not recognize Taiwan as a sovereign nation. But, it is legally obligated — via the Taiwan Relations Act — to provide the island with the means to defend itself.
When asked about U.S. weapons sales to the island, Trump said: “We’re gonna see what happens.”
China 'won't do anything about Taiwan while I'm here,' says Trump
23:15 , Mike BediganDonald Trump said he spoke “the whole night” with Chinese President Xi Jinping about the issue of Taiwan.
“I think I know more about Taiwan right now than I know about almost any country,” the president told Fox News’ Bret Baier.
“It's always been the biggest thing for him, Taiwan. Now with me, I don't think they'll do anything when I'm here. When I'm not here, I think they might, to be honest with you.”
He continued: “So I'm not sure that they do anything if it remained as is, but they have somebody there now that wants to go independent. It's a risky thing when you go independent, you know they're going independent because they want to get into a war and they want to, they figure they have a United States behind them.”
Trump boasts of investment in US as he kicks off Fox interview
23:08 , Mike BediganKicking off his interview with Bret Baier, Donald Trump boasted about “historic” investment in the U.S., including from China, but was again light on the details.
“Trade has been very strong. We're getting a lot of soybeans for our farmers. We're doing a lot of.. there's a lot of things happening with for the farmers,” he said.
“[President Xi Jinping] committed to 200 Boeings, big ones... and a lot of big, big ones, big beautiful Boeing planes. 200 that’s a lot.”
He added: “We have now more money being invested in the United States than any country at any time in the history of the world, including China, which probably is second from about 10 years ago. We have $18 trillion in 11 months, not the 12th month, that hasn't come in yet.”
Soon: Trump interview with Fox News' Bret Baier
23:01 , Mike BediganThe full interview of Donald Trump and Fox News’ Bret Baier will air shortly.
Follow along here for updates on their discussion.
Watch: Trump refuses to say if he'd defend Taiwan from Chinese aggression
22:50 , Mike BediganTrump lambasts reporter inches from his face on flight from China and calls him ‘treasonous’ over Iran question
22:30 , Mike BediganPresident Donald Trump labeled a reporter “treasonous” and “fake” for his coverage of the ongoing Iran war during a tense exchange aboard Air Force One.
While en route to Washington after a three-day summit in Beijing, Trump was pressed about the situation in Iran — where the conflict is currently paused under a fragile ceasefire — after he indicated the military campaign could soon continue.
Read more here:
Trump lambasts reporter on flight from China and calls him ‘treasonous’ over question
Trump says he believes Xi may release a jailed pastor
22:05 , Brendan RasciusIn an interview with Fox News, Trump said he is "optimistic" that Chinese President Xi Jinping might free Ezra Jin, a pastor who was detained on allegations that he led a secret church network.
"He went through a whole thing, and I said, ‘well, I would appreciate if you would release him,” Trump told anchor Bret Baier. “He’s gotten old, and he’s probably not feeling too well. It would be nice.”
He said that he feels good about the prospect of Xi releasing Jin — though he noted he does not feel optimistic about the release of jailed media tycoon Jimmy Lai.
Trump says China and Taiwan should 'cool down'
21:11 , Brendan RasciusDuring a teaser clip of his interview with Fox News’ Bret Baier, President Trump addressed the issue of Taiwan — a perennial sore-spot in U.S.-China relations — claiming that both parties should “cool down.”
Beijing sees Taiwan as a breakaway part of mainland China that must eventually be unified. Taiwan is a self-governing democracy, and polls indicate the public largely does not want to be ruled by Xi Jinping.
The U.S. formally recognizes the People's Republic of China as the government of China, and it does not recognize Taiwan as a sovereign nation. But, it is legally obligated — via the Taiwan Relations Act — to provide the island with the means to defend itself.
“I’m not looking to have somebody to go independent and, you know, we’re supposed to travel 9,500 miles to fight a war,” Trump told Baier. “I’m not looking for that. I want them to cool down. I want China to cool down.”
When asked about U.S. weapons sales to the island, Trump said: “We’re gonna see what happens.”
White House refutes claim that Trump consumed alcohol during China banquet
21:05 , Brendan RasciusThe White House on Friday pushed back on claims that President Trump consumed alcohol during his trip to China.
The speculation followed a state banquet in Beijing, where Trump was seen raising and sipping from a wine glass during a toast honoring U.S.-China relations. Trump, whose older brother struggled with alcoholism before his death, is known to be a teetotaler.
Footage of the moment spread rapidly online, prompting some viewers to suggest the president may have briefly broken with his personal practice as a gesture of respect to Chinese President Xi Jinping.
But the administration claimed otherwise.
“The insinuation here is false by suggesting that he would somehow compromise himself for a toast,” White House Communications Director Steven Cheung wrote on X. “President Trump doesn’t drink alcohol.”
The insinuation here is false by suggesting that he would somehow compromise himself for a toast. President Trump doesn’t drink alcohol. https://t.co/09i9gEEK22
— Steven Cheung (@StevenCheung47) May 15, 2026
Trump ‘doesn’t feel optimistic’ jailed media tycoon Jimmy Lai will be freed
20:44 , Brendan RasciusUS president Donald Trump has said he “doesn’t feel optimistic” that jailed media tycoon Jimmy Lai will be freed.
Ahead of his high-stakes meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping this week, Trump had said he would raise Mr Lai’s imprisonment in Hong Kong and the arrest of pastor Jin Mingri of Zion Church in the mainland.
But after raising the case of jailed Hong Kong democracy campaigner Jimmy Lai in talks with Mr Xi he was told it “is a tough one”.
Rebecca Whittaker reports...
Trump ‘doesn’t feel optimistic’ jailed media tycoon Jimmy Lai will be freed
Markets respond to lack of breakthrough in Beijing
19:45 , Oisin McilroyFinancial markets performed gloomily after the Beijing summit failed to provide substantial progress.
Though some trade deals were made – such as China’s agreement to buy 200 Boeing jets and potentially 750 more afterwards – questions regarding the war in Iran loomed large.
The S&P 500 was more than 1 percent down at its open, ending a rally in tech shares that had brought it record heights.
The price of domestic crude oil also showed the strain, up nearly 3 percent to $104 per barrel.
Xi accepts Trump's invitation to visit US
19:00 , Oisin McilroyXi Jinping has accepted Trump’s invitation to visit the United States, according to Chinese state media.
China’s official Xinhua news agency cited Beijing’s top diplomat Wang Yi when it confirmed that Xi would travel to the US later this year, though did not give further details.
During a state banquet in Beijing on Thursday, Trump invited Xi to visit the White House on 24 September.
Putin to visit Xi days after Trump's departure
18:15 , Oisin McilroyRussian President Vladimir Putin is to meet with Xi Jinping next week in Beijing, the Kremlin announced.
Putin will likely be eager to hear how his Chinese counterpart’s meeting with the US president went and reaffirm Russia-China unity against the West amid seemingly deepening relations between Washington and Beijing.
Trump calls reporter 'treasonous' in tense Air Force One exchange
17:30 , Oisin McilroyTrump called a reporter ‘treasonous’ for not accepting that the US has achieved a ‘total victory’ in its war against Iran.
The New York Times’s White House and National Security Correspondent David Sanger asked “What would be the use in repeating the bombing?” after Trump suggest the US might restart their air campaign.
Here’s the full exchange:
Trump says he and Xi may meet four times in 2026
16:45 , Oisin McilroyPresident Trump told reporters on Air Force One he and President Xi could meet three more times this year, including potentially another trip to China.
In addition to this week’s summit in Beijing, Trump suggested future meetings could include December’s G-20 meeting in Miami and a conference in November of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation in Shenzhen.
During the Beijing summit, Trump also invited Xi to visit the US in September. It was not clear whether Xi accepted the invitation.
Trump open with Xi about mutual cyber attacks
16:00 , Oisin McilroyAsked by reporters whether he brought up with Xi the subject of Chinese cyber attacks on the US, Trump said suggested neither of them dodged the topic:
“I did. And he talked about attacks we did in China,” he said.
“You know, what they do, we do too. We spy like hell on them too. I told him, 'we do a lot of stuff to you that that you don't know about.’”
Trump refused to comment potential Taiwan troop deployments
15:30 , Oisin McilroyTrump said he declined to answer Xi when asked whether the US would send troops to Taiwan in the event of a conflict.
“I said, ‘I don’t talk about those things,'” Trump claims to have told Xi.
“I don’t want to say,” he added to reporters. “There’s only one person that knows that. You know who it is? Me.”
Trump says he discussed Taiwan arms package with Xi
15:00 , Oisin McilroyOn Air Force One, Trump told reporters he and Xi discussed US arms sales to Taiwan “in great detail” but would not comment on whether he had decided to approve a $14 billion weapons deal he previously froze to avoid alarming Beijing.
“I’ll be making decisions. But, you know, I think the last thing we need right now is a war that’s 9,500 miles away,” he said.
No clear winner and underwhelming outcomes from Trump-Xi summit, analyst says
14:30 , Shweta SharmaThe summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping was hailed as a high-stakes affair – but appears not to have produced any significant policy breakthroughs or market-moving deals, analysts say.
It's also not clear who the "winner" out of the two is, professor Nick Bisley of Australia’s La Trobe University tells The Independent.
“Indeed, it seems that it has achieved even less than was anticipated. Most observers had low expectations – the summit would be more about optics and atmospherics with a few token agreements about the boeings, soybeans and perhaps the creation of some mechanism to help manage trade frictions – and apart from the announcement about Boeing jets not much seems to have been agreed. Trump has made some vague noise about China buying American oil but there hasn’t been anything confirmed,” he said.
On balance, Xi probably got more out of it than Trump.
“He seems not to have given much ground, he made clear China’s views on Taiwan in a surprisingly forthright manner, and has succeeded in positioning the relationship as on a ‘stabilised’ footing in ways that give the PRC some advantages,” he said, referring to the official name of China.
“The Trump team did not appear to have done enough preparation in comparison to Xi and Trump seemed too willing to play the supporting act in a CCP drama, positioning Xi as the dominant figure in world politics.”
