Former US President Donald Trump said in an interview that Washington would not remain passive if China moved against Taiwan, adding a fresh warning to Beijing as tensions continue to hover over the island.

According to the remarks reported by Reuters, Trump said the United States would not “stand by” in the event of a Chinese invasion. The comments did not spell out what kind of response he envisioned, but they reinforced the longstanding strategic uncertainty surrounding US policy toward Taiwan.

Taiwan remains one of the most sensitive flashpoints in US-China relations. Washington is bound by law to help Taiwan maintain a credible defense, while stopping short of formally guaranteeing military intervention. Statements like Trump’s often draw close attention because they can affect deterrence calculations in both capitals.

The exchange comes amid persistent concern that any escalation in the Taiwan Strait could draw in major powers and threaten regional stability. For now, Trump’s remarks amount to a political warning rather than a policy shift, but they underscore how central Taiwan remains to the broader US-China rivalry.