Donald Trump has doubted whether, as US president, he would defend Taiwan if China were to invade the self-ruled island Beijing sees as a breakaway province.
“Taiwan is 9,500 miles away,” Trump said Bloomberg“it is 108 miles away from China.”
The US does not recognize Taiwan as an independent state, but opposes any attempt by Beijing to take the island by force.
Trump appeared to suggest Taiwan should pay the U.S. for protection, telling the outlet, “I don’t think we’re parting with an insurance policy.”
This is a development story.
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.