US President Donald Trump on Monday described Beijing’s large-scale military exercises around Taiwan as routine activities that have occurred “for 20-25 years”, expressing no concern over the escalation and instead citing his personal rapport with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
“I have a great relationship with President Xi, and he hasn’t told me anything about it,” Trump said in remarks to reporters during a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
When pressed on whether the manoeuvres were a sign of impending conflict, Trump doubled down.
“I certainly have seen it, but he hasn’t told me anything about it, and I don’t believe he’s going to be doing it,” he said.
“No, nothing worries me. They’ve been doing that for 20-25 years,” the President added when asked if the drills concerned him.
