On Sunday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated the United States’ enduring commitment to Taiwan, emphasizing that the island nation will remain a key ally, even amid ongoing trade discussions with China.

While addressing the media during his journey from Israel to Qatar, where he was set to meet President Donald Trump in Asia, Rubio reassured Taiwan that it should not fear being sidelined in trade negotiations.

“There is no expectation that the U.S. would strike a trade deal at the expense of Taiwan,” Rubio stated. “Concerns that we might trade favorable terms in exchange for distancing ourselves from Taiwan are unfounded. Such an approach is not under consideration.”

In recent times, Chinese President Xi Jinping has intensified efforts to pressure the U.S. into revising its one-China policy, which acknowledges Taiwan as part of China while simultaneously fostering relations with the island.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has renewed an effort to push the U.S. into changing its one-China policy that recognizes Taiwan as part of China while still maintaining relations with the island.

Beijing has asked the Trump administration to officially adopt language saying that it “opposes” independence for Taiwan, a change that would represent a key diplomatic win for China, as Washington’s current position is that it “does not support” independence.

Taiwan is a significant issue in China’s relationship with the U.S., with a strained relationship over other issues such as trade, technology transfers and human rights.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Taiwan should not be concerned about the trade negotiations. (Reuters/Carlos Garcia Rawlins/File Photo)

The U.S. is Taiwan’s biggest military backer, but Trump has floated the idea that the island should have to pay for security.

Trump declined to answer when asked about U.S. policy toward Taiwan while heading for Asia on Air Force One.

“I don’t want to talk about that now. I don’t want to create any complexity. The trip is already complex enough,” Trump told reporters.

Beijing has asked the Trump administration to officially adopt language saying that it “opposes” independence for Taiwan. (Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)

The U.S. president is scheduled to meet Xi next week while attending a regional summit in South Korea, the first meeting between the two leaders since Trump returned to the White House in January.

Trump’s trip to Asia will include stops in Malaysia, Japan and South Korea.