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Trump made these remarks on Friday in an interview with Fox News, ahead of his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin about Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

In an interview on Fox News' "Special Report," Trump said: "Let me tell you, you know, there’s a very similar situation between President Xi and Taiwan, but I don’t believe it will happen as long as I’m here. We’ll see."

Trump added: "He told me, 'As long as you are president, I will never do that.' President Xi told me this, and I replied: 'I appreciate that.' But he also said: 'But I am very patient, and China is also very patient.'"

The Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Trump and Xi held their first confirmed phone call regarding Trump’s second presidential term in June. Trump also said that Xi had called him in April, but did not specify when that conversation took place.

China considers Taiwan its own territory and has pledged "reunification" with this democratic, self-governed island, if necessary by force. Taiwan strongly rejects China’s sovereignty claims.

Although the United States, like most countries, does not have official diplomatic ties with the island, Washington remains Taiwan’s main arms supplier and international supporter.