In a Fox News interview with Bret Baier that aired on Friday, May 15, 2026, former U.S. President Donald Trump described Taiwan as a 'very good negotiating chip' in dealings with China. The comment came shortly after Trump concluded a high-stakes visit to China.
China considers Taiwan a breakaway province and has vowed to reunify it with the mainland, by force if necessary. The U.S. officially maintains the 'One China' policy but has historically sold arms to Taiwan and maintained unofficial ties.
Trump's statement has drawn criticism from some lawmakers who argue that Taiwan's status should not be treated as a bargaining tool. The Chinese government has not officially responded to Trump's remarks as of May 17, 2026.
