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Trump says he does not want war with China if Taiwan declares independence

The US president says he wants the authorities in China and Taiwan "to cool down"

NEW YORK, May 16. /TASS/. US President Donald Trump said he does not want to order the US military to go to war with China if Taiwan decides to declare independence from it.

In an interview with Fox News, Trump was asked whether US policy toward Taipei had shifted following his talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. "No, nothing's changed," the American leader said. "I will say this: I'm not looking to have somebody go independent and, you know, we're supposed to travel 9,500 miles to fight a war. I'm not looking for that. I want them (Taiwanese authorities - TASS) to cool down. I want China to cool down," Trump explained.

Taiwan has been governed by its local administration since 1949 when the Kuomintang’s remaining forces headed by Chiang Kai-shek (1887-1975) were defeated in the Chinese Civil War and took refuge on the island. Official Beijing considers Taiwan a province of the People’s Republic of China. The United States broke off diplomatic relations with Taiwan in 1979 and established relations with China. While recognizing the one-China policy, Washington continues to maintain contacts with the Taipei government and supply arms to the island.

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China United States Taiwan Donald Trump

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