“Trump said he has a “great relationship” with Xi Jinping amid China’s military exercises around Taiwan.”, — write: www.pravda.com.ua
Donald Trump, photo: Facebook Source: Trump at a press conference following a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Mar-a-Lago residence, Bloomberg cites
Details: Trump downplayed China’s latest maneuvers around Taiwan, as the People’s Liberation Army began a second day of exercises that included live fire in response to a major U.S. arms sale to Taiwan.
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Beijing has delineated seven large blocs around Taiwan, with a population of 23 million, creating space for the largest military exercises around the island in decades.
Taiwan’s defense ministry said 90 warplanes crossed sensitive coastal areas it controls, and 14 Chinese military vessels were spotted.
China’s military exercises have escalated tensions in the region, although Trump called them a continuation of long-standing military activities. When asked about exercises around Taiwan, which the US supports militarily, Trump emphasized his ties with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
Direct speech Trump: “I have a great relationship with President Xi, but he didn’t tell me anything about this (military exercises – ed.).
I saw it, of course, but he didn’t tell me anything about it. And I don’t believe that he is going to do it (attack Taiwan – ed.).”
Details: The latest maneuvers come just two months after China and the US brokered a one-year truce in their trade standoff, and as Trump prepares to visit China in April.
Trump’s comments about the exercises indicate that the United States is interested in preserving the agreement, writes Bloomberg.
China’s “Justice Mission-2025” drills, the first major exercises near Taiwan since April, began on Monday and China said it was a “stern warning to separatist forces seeking Taiwan’s independence and foreign interference.” The maneuvers come after the US announced one of the largest arms packages for Taiwan: an $11 billion deal for weapons that Taipei mostly already had.
China has reacted with indignation to the US actions, saying it increases the likelihood of conflict between the superpowers. On Friday, Beijing announced largely symbolic sanctions against 20 US defense companies and 10 executives.
China considers Taiwan a territory that must eventually be taken under its control, if necessary by force, a position that Taipei categorically rejects.
What preceded: On Monday, the Chinese military deployed its units around Taiwan for the “Justice Mission 2025” exercise.
We will remind: China has deployed more than 100 intercontinental ballistic missiles in new mine-launched launchers and shows no intention of negotiating arms control. Beijing continues to build up its nuclear potential and is preparing military scenarios for the capture of Taiwan.
The draft report appeared against the background of US President Donald Trump’s statements about work on the denuclearization plan of the Russian Federation and China.
The report was presented less than two months before the expiration of the SNO-3 treaty (on strategic offensive weapons). This is the last valid agreement between the US and Russia, which limits the nuclear arsenals of the parties (up to 1,550 warheads). The contract was extended by former US President Joe Biden and Russian ruler Vladimir Putin in 2021 for five years, and its terms do not provide for further extensions.
Experts fear that after the agreement expires in February 2026, an uncontrolled three-way nuclear arms race may begin.