In an interview with 60 Minutes’ Norah O’Donnell, President Trump addressed concerns about potential Chinese military action against Taiwan, emphasizing that he would not share classified information but asserted that China understands the consequences of such actions. When asked what the U.S. military would do if China invaded Taiwan, Trump responded, “I can’t give away my secrets,” while noting, “China knows the consequences.”
The discussion centered on tensions over Taiwan, a self-governed island claimed by Beijing. O’Donnell highlighted the risk of conflict, citing Chinese military activities near Taiwan’s waterways, airspace, and cyberspace. Trump stated that the issue did not arise during his recent meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, claiming that Beijing has assured him it would avoid action while he remains in office. “He has openly said, and his people have openly said at meetings, ‘We would never do anything while President Trump is president,’ because they know the consequences,” Trump said.
The 1979 Taiwan Relations Act mandates U.S. support for Taiwan’s self-defense but does not obligate military intervention in case of Chinese aggression. Trump’s comments reflect his administration’s stance on maintaining strategic ambiguity while reinforcing deterrence. The interview marked his first with 60 Minutes in five years and followed a contentious legal dispute with CBS over a prior interview.