US President Donald Trump has stated that Chinese President Xi Jinping is aware of the consequences if China were to attack Taiwan. In a recent interview with CBS's "60 Minutes," Trump discussed his conversations with Xi during his visit to South Korea, where the focus was primarily on US-China trade tensions. He noted that the sensitive topic of Taiwan did not arise during their discussions, which surprised some observers.

Trump emphasized, "You’ll find out if it happens, and he understands the answer to that." He further explained that Xi and his officials have previously indicated they would refrain from any aggressive actions towards Taiwan while Trump is in office, saying, "They know the consequences."

While Trump did not disclose whether he would order US military intervention if China attacked Taiwan, he maintained that the Chinese leadership understands the implications of such actions. He remarked, "I can’t give away my secrets. I don’t want to be one of these guys that tells you exactly what’s going to happen if something happens."

Concerns about China's military assertiveness around Taiwan have been growing. US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth recently expressed alarm over China's increasing military activities in the region, particularly during a meeting with Chinese officials in Malaysia. Hegseth reiterated the importance of maintaining a balance of power in the Indo-Pacific and emphasized that the US would continue to defend its interests.

China has ramped up military drills and frequently sends warplanes near Taiwan, raising fears of a potential conflict. US intelligence reports suggest that Xi Jinping has instructed the Chinese military to prepare for a possible invasion by 2027. Despite these tensions, the US has maintained a policy of "strategic ambiguity" regarding its military response to a potential conflict over Taiwan, aiming to deter aggression without revealing its plans.