Trump Administration Issues New Warning to China Over Taiwan

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Newsweek

Published Jan 01, 2026 at 03:01 PM EST updated Jan 01, 2026 at 04:12 PM EST


The Trump administration on Thursday warned China to halt military pressure on Taiwan, saying Beijing’s actions and rhetoric are raising tensions unnecessarily in the region. The State Department urged China in a New Year's Day statement to “exercise restraint, cease its military pressure against Taiwan, and instead engage in meaningful dialogue.

“China’s military activities and rhetoric toward Taiwan and others in the region increase tensions unnecessarily. We urge Beijing to exercise restraint, cease its military pressure against Taiwan, and instead engage in meaningful dialogue,” said State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott on Thursday. “The United States supports peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and opposes unilateral changes to the status quo, including by force or coercion," he added.

Why It Matters

The drills reflect Beijing’s increasingly assertive military posture toward Taiwan. China claims the island as its territory, despite the Chinese Communist Party never having ruled it. After losing the civil war, the Chinese Nationalist government fled to Taiwan, which now operates as a sovereign state with its own elected government, diplomatic relations, and military.

What To Know

The administration’s statement came after approving an $11 billion arms package for Taiwan, one of the largest in recent years. The deal includes missile systems, naval platforms, and radar upgrades intended to bolster the island’s defenses. Beijing responded with its sixth round of large-scale military drills since 2022, simulating a blockade of Taiwan’s key ports under the codename “Justice Mission 2025.” China deployed fighter jets, naval ships, and coast guard vessels around the island and fired 27 rockets from its eastern coast. Taiwanese military officials said some landed closer to the main island than ever before.

Read more: https://www.newsweek.com/us-warns-china-over-taiwan-military-pressure-11294824

[RandySF]

1. Not mad at this.

I stand with Taiwan.

[OldBaldy1701E]

2. "...saying Beijing's actions and rhetoric are raising tensions unnecessarily in the region."

Says the regime that is trying to start shit with Denmark as well as Venezuela.

[thought crime]

8. Although to be fair, Trump would probably be happy to sell Puerto Rico to China

[Dan]

3. Based on the history of this second Trump administration

All China has to do is give Trump some golden trinket and he will then throw Taiwan to China with a receipt. His bluster and threats are just a request for a handout. Trump’s words and thus the U.S.’s words mean nothing in the age of Trump.

[twodogsbarking]

4. Chinese government officials had to seek medical attention because their sides were hurting from laughing.

[thought crime]

9. It's NOT Funny! There is a very real danger that someone could die laughing.

Well okay, yeah. It's funny. But dangerous!!

[ProudMNDemocrat]

5. Or fucking what, Donnie?

This mad man will do anything to end the world as we know it.

China owns a LOT of our debt along with Japan. They can call in their markers and the US will go absolutely BANKRUPT! Even the Billionaires won't be safe.

Donnie Dipshit has NO idea that China not only has Nukes, but they have the means to cripple the United States in so many ways as well.

[Ray Bruns]

6. I'm sure the Chinese are shaking in their boots by TACO's threats.

[AZJonnie]

7. I kinda wonder if that's not exactly what China wants to hear

Or should I say, wants to NOT hear.

Which is to say, I don't read any promise to respond militarily if China were to attack Taiwan, e.g. no re-iteration of US pledges to defend it. Just a mealy-mouthed "please stop acting up, be nice to them instead".

[thought crime]

10. True! More reason to call the bluff.

But they won't do it, yet. They're watching America's decline. Why not just keep watching, keep building up their military, keep building up their nuclear forces.