Rubio reassures Taiwan of continued support amid China trade talks

Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday reaffirmed the United States’ long-standing support for Taiwan and stressed that the island will not be abandoned during trade talks with China.

Speaking to reporters while traveling between Israel and Qatar to join President Donald Trump in Asia, Rubio said Taiwan should not worry about trade negotiations.

“What people are worried about is that we’re going to get a trade deal, or I don’t think you’re going to see a trade deal where we’re going to get favorable treatment on trade in exchange for leaving Taiwan,” Rubio said. “Nobody thinks about that.”

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Chinese President Xi Jinping has renewed his effort to force the United States to change its one-China policy, which recognizes Taiwan as part of China and maintains relations with the island.

Beijing has asked the Trump administration to formally adopt language stating that it is “opposed” to Taiwan independence; This is a change that would represent a significant diplomatic win for China, as Washington’s current position does not “support” independence.

Taiwan is a major issue in China’s relations with the United States; It has tense relations over other issues such as trade, technology transfer and human rights.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Taiwan should not worry about trade negotiations. (Reuters/Carlos Garcia Rawlins/File Photo)

The United States is Taiwan’s biggest military supporter, but Trump has floated the idea that the island should pay for security.

Trump refused to answer when asked about U.S. policy toward Taiwan while en route to Asia on Air Force One.

“I don’t want to talk about it right now. I don’t want to create any complications. The journey is complicated enough as it is,” Trump told reporters.

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Beijing has asked the Trump administration to formally adopt language stating that it is “opposed” to Taiwan independence. (Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)

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The US president is scheduled to meet Xi next week while attending a regional summit in South Korea, the first meeting between the two leaders since Trump returned to the White House in January.

Trump’s Asia trip will also include Malaysia, Japan and South Korea.

Reuters contributed to this report.