U.S. President Donald Trump said on the 8th (local time) that whether China attacks Taiwan is up to Chinese President Xi Jinping to decide.
In an interview with the New York Times (NYT) released that day, President Trump said, "Xi thinks Taiwan is part of China, and what he does about it is his decision (that's up to him)."
He added, "But I told him I would be very unhappy if he did it (an invasion of Taiwan)," and said, "I don't think he will do it, and I hope he doesn't."
Trump also said, "He may do it (invade Taiwan) while another president is in office in the United States, but I don't think he will do it while I am president."
He has repeatedly said that Xi would not invade Taiwan while he is in office. In a media interview in Nov. last year, President Trump also said, "He (Xi) and his aides have publicly said, 'While Trump is president, we will never take any action.' Because they know what the consequences are."