Trump claims Chinese president Xi made him a big promise about the fate of Taiwan

President Donald Trump has claimed that Chinese leader Xi Jinping offered him a “major assurance” on the future of Taiwan during private discussions, raising fresh questions about Beijing’s stance on the island at the center of U.S.-China tensions.

Speaking after his return from the Alaska summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump said Xi personally conveyed that China “would not act aggressively” toward Taiwan while Trump remained in office. “He gave me a big promise — bigger than anyone expected — about Taiwan,” Trump told reporters. “It’s something nobody thought possible.”

The remarks come amid heightened speculation over whether Beijing is preparing to escalate pressure on Taipei, which it views as part of its territory. U.S. intelligence officials have repeatedly warned of China’s military build-up around the Taiwan Strait.

Taiwanese officials have not commented on Trump’s statement, though senior figures in Taipei have previously cautioned against relying on “private assurances” from Beijing. Analysts say any such promise, if genuine, would mark a significant diplomatic development but stressed that it is unlikely China would alter its long-term goal of reunification.

The White House has not released further details of Trump’s conversations with Xi, and Chinese state media has made no reference to the claim.