Trump Warns China Will Likely Invade Taiwan ‘Sooner Rather Than Later’

Former President Donald Trump on Wednesday warned of China’s rising aggression and said the country may invade Taiwan soon.

During an exclusive interview on “Mornings with Maria,” Trump was asked whether he believes that Beijing will launch an invasion of self-governed Taiwan in the near future.

"Do you expect China to invade Taiwan sooner rather than later?" host Bartiromo asked.

"I do because they're seeing how stupid the United States is run. They're seeing that our leaders are incompetent. Of course they're going to do it. This is their time," Trump said.

The businessman also said that Chinese President Xi Jinping took cues on how the United States handled the Afghanistan withdrawal and sees that as a sign to strike.

“He saw the way that we left Afghanistan like a surrender and left $85 billion and death behind and left American citizens there that are still trying to get out. And he sees that, and this is his opportunity to do what he wants to do, which is ... he's wanted to do that, and China's wanted to do that for decades,” Trump added.

Trump’s comments come as a delegation of former U.S. defense and security officials, led by ex-Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mike Mullen, met with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen and other Taiwanese officials Wednesday to show support for the island. The delegation will remain in Taiwan for two days.

China has long claimed the self-ruled island of Taiwan as part of its territory despite never having governed it. China’s ruling Communist Party has also vowed it will pursue “reunification” with Taiwan. While Xi has not mentioned whether he would use military force in the invasion, he has also not ruled it out.

In recent months, China’s military has sent warplanes into the air around Taiwan. In late January, Taiwan’s defense ministry said it counted 39 Chinese warplanes and fighter jets in its air defense zone, the second largest incursion recorded. The biggest single-day incursion occurred in October 2021, when 56 Chinese warplanes flew into Taiwan’s air defense zone.

China has distanced itself from Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. However, it has refused to condemn the actions of Russian troops. The Chinese foreign ministry has instead blamed the U.S. for provoking Russia.