US President Donald Trump has dismissed concerns that Chinese President Xi Jinping could cancel a highly anticipated visit later this month amid rising tensions over Taiwan and a possible American arms sale to the self-governing island. Speaking to reporters while attending the Irish Open in Doonbeg on Sunday, Trump said he was not worried about the possibility and expressed confidence in his relationship with the Chinese leader.
“No, I’m not worried about that,” Trump said when asked whether Xi might call off the planned visit. He added that the two countries’ leaders had a strong relationship and suggested that both sides wanted to maintain cooperation. “He wants to get along, and we want it. We’re going to get along,” Trump said, attempting to play down speculation that the diplomatic engagement could be disrupted by the Taiwan issue.
Trump’s remarks came after reports that Beijing had warned Washington it could scrap Xi’s upcoming visit if the United States approved new arms sales to Taiwan. The issue remains one of the most sensitive points in US-China relations, with China claiming Taiwan as part of its territory and strongly opposing military support or official engagement between the island and other countries.
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The Trump administration is reportedly considering an arms package worth around $14 billion for Taiwan. The proposed deal has heightened concerns in Beijing, which views American weapons supplies to Taipei as interference in its internal affairs. Xi has previously warned Trump that mishandling the Taiwan question could create the potential for conflict, making the proposed sale a major test for the two countries’ efforts to manage tensions.
Trump has previously said that Taiwan was discussed extensively during his summit with Xi in May. In an interview with Fox News at the time, he said he had spoken to the Chinese president “a lot” about the issue and indicated that he wanted Beijing to “cool down” over Taiwan. His latest comments suggest that he continues to favour keeping communication channels open despite disagreements over security, sovereignty and military cooperation.
The possible cancellation of Xi’s visit would have raised fresh doubts over the stability of US-China relations, particularly as both governments attempt to prevent disputes from escalating into a broader confrontation. Trump’s public dismissal of the threat reflects his effort to project confidence in the relationship, although the Taiwan arms issue remains unresolved and could continue to complicate diplomatic discussions ahead of the expected summit.
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