President Donald Trump told reporters Friday that he will “make a determination over the next fairly short period of time” on whether to proceed with an arms deal with Taiwan, and refused to say whether the U.S. would defend the island against China.

Speaking aboard Air Force One while returning from a summit in Beijing with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Trump confirmed Taiwan was one of the central topics discussed during the talks.

“President Xi and I talked a lot about Taiwan,” Trump said. “He does not want to see a fight for independence because that would be a very strong confrontation.”

Trump said Xi raised the issue of U.S. arms sales to Taiwan “in great detail,” but stressed that he made “no commitment either way.”

“I’ll make a determination over the next fairly short period of time,” Trump said when pressed by reporters about whether the arms package would move forward.

Trump also revealed that Xi directly asked whether the United States would defend Taiwan militarily if China attacked the island. Trump declined to answer publicly or privately.

“There’s only one person that knows that, and it is me,” Trump said. “I said, I don’t talk about that.”

Trump’s comments appeared to signal a return to the longstanding U.S. policy of “strategic ambiguity,” where Washington deliberately avoids clearly stating whether American forces would intervene in a conflict involving Taiwan.

China considers Taiwan part of its territory and has repeatedly condemned U.S. arms sales and military cooperation involving the self-governing island.

Beijing views such support as interference in internal Chinese affairs.

Meanwhile, the United States remains Taiwan’s top international supporter and largest arms supplier.

Despite rising tensions, Trump downplayed the prospect of war between Washington and Beijing over Taiwan.

“I don’t think there’s a conflict,” Trump said. “I think we’re going to be fine. He doesn’t want to see a war.”

Trump also suggested the administration was prioritizing stability and avoiding unnecessary foreign conflicts while maintaining leverage against China through trade and military strength.

“I think the last thing we need right now is a war that’s 9,500 miles away,” Trump said.

The president added that his relationship with Xi remained strong despite ongoing disagreements over Taiwan, trade, cyberespionage, and military influence in the Indo-Pacific region.

“We have a great understanding,” Trump said. “I don’t think he feels he has a very positive thing to have these two nations not getting along.”