The Wall Street Journal reported, citing sources familiar with the White House, that Chinese President Xi Jinping, in recent talks with US President Donald Trump, asked him to have the United States formally oppose Taiwan independence.
This request has been made as a condition for signing a new trade agreement between the two countries.
According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, Xi Jinping wants Trump to issue an official statement that the United States opposes Taiwan independence, which goes beyond the current US position of not supporting Taiwan independence and could be seen as Washington aligning itself with Beijing in rejecting Taiwan’s sovereignty.
Xi Jinping’s request to White House officials was “surprising” and reflects China’s high confidence in the trade war with the United States, where Beijing feels it has the upper hand.
A spokesperson for the US State Department emphasized that Washington’s position has not changed and remains opposed to any unilateral change to the current status quo.
