Xi warns Taiwan mishandling could cause 'clash or conflict'

President Donald Trump wrapped up a two-day state visit to Beijing on Friday, May 15, 2026, with Chinese President Xi Jinping warning that mishandling the Taiwan issue could push U.S.-China relations into a "very dangerous place" and potentially lead to "clash or even conflict." Trump told Fox News he does not want to "travel 9,500 miles to fight a war" over Taiwan and stated he wants both sides to "cool down," signaling reluctance to escalate tensions with Beijing over the democratic island that China claims as part of its territory. During the summit, Trump remained non-committal regarding a pending $11 billion arms package for Taiwan authorized in December, telling reporters he would make a determination "over the next fairly short period of time." Taiwan's Parliament has already approved a $25 billion defense spending bill to fund nearly $9 billion of that weapons package along with a second phase of arms sales exceeding $15 billion that has not yet been approved by the United States. Taiwan's Foreign Ministry responded Saturday by asserting that the island is "a sovereign and independent democratic nation" and that arms sales represent Washington's security commitment under the Taiwan Relations Act. The United States recognizes only Beijing and does not formally support Taiwan independence, though American law requires the provision of defensive weapons to the island. Xi opened the summit by pressing Trump not to support Taiwan, whose President Lai Ching-te considers the island already independent. Trump, however, told reporters that as long as Taiwan remains as it is, "China's going to be OK with that," while Taiwan's Presidential Office expressed appreciation for multiple reaffirmations from the U.S. side that American policy toward Taiwan remains unchanged. Democratic Representative Ro Khanna of California was scheduled to join a subsequent program with his reaction to the summit.