Trump Unfazed by China's Military Drills Around Taiwan, Cites Strong Ties with Xi Jinping
December 30, 2025
US President Donald Trump said he is not worried about China's military drills around Taiwan. "I have a great relationship with President Xi, and he hasn't told me anything about [the drills]. I certainly have seen it," Trump told reporters on Monday. "No, nothing worries me. They've been doing naval exercises for 20 years in that area," he added. These two-day war games started on Monday, soon after the US announced a massive arms sale to Taiwan. The deal angered Beijing, which views the island as a breakaway province. On Tuesday, China plans 10 hours of live-firing sea and air exercises in five areas near Taiwan. China's Eastern Theater Command said it has positioned destroyers, frigates, and fighter-bombers to test "sea-air coordination" and "integrated containment capabilities." The drills simulate seizure and blockade of Taiwan to warn against "Taiwan independence separatist forces" and "external interference," according to the Chinese military. Taiwan's presidential office called the drills a challenge to international norms. China has long aimed to "reunify" Taiwan and has not ruled out force. It has increased military pressure with drills and regular air and sea incursions. Taiwan plans to boost defense spending to modernize its forces. While Trump downplayed the drills, his administration recently announced an $11 billion arms package for Taiwan. This deal includes advanced rocket launchers, self-propelled howitzers, and various missiles. The US maintains formal diplomatic ties with Beijing, not Taiwan, but is Taiwan's biggest arms supplier. In response, China sanctioned several US defense firms. China's foreign ministry warned, "any attempt to 'contain China by using Taiwan will absolutely not succeed.'"
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Tags:
Trump
China
Taiwan
Military Drills
Xi jinping
Us Arms Sale
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