TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Donald Trump is confident China will not invade Taiwan during his presidency, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Friday.

In an interview with CNBC, Bessent was asked if he thinks Chinese leader Xi Jinping (習近平) would “make a move” on Taiwan. “I follow President Trump’s lead, and he is confident that President Xi will not make that move during his presidency,” Bessent said.

Trump has touted his strong relationship with Xi in the past. When asked if he would allow China to take Taiwan by force in late February, Trump said, "I don't comment on it because I don't want to ever put myself in that position.”

On the same day, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US opposes any attempt to change Taiwan’s status forcibly. Other Trump nominees for senior government positions have been hawkish on China, while one who made pro-unification remarks was removed.

Taiwan’s officials have steadfastly hailed the strength of the Taiwan-US relationship since Trump’s election. On Friday, Defense Minister Wellington Koo (顧立雄) said US arms sales help maintain peace across the Taiwan Strait.