​​​​​ISTANBUL

US President Donald Trump said Chinese President Xi Jinping would not attempt to take Taiwan during his presidency, dismissing concerns that the military operation in Venezuela created a precedent.

"He may do it after we have a different president, but I don't think he's going to do it with me as president," Trump told The New York Times.

Asked whether the US military operation and capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Saturday established a precedent, Trump argued the threat by Venezuela differed fundamentally from Xi's view about Taiwan.

The president characterized Venezuela as a "real threat," claiming Maduro dumped gang members into America. "You didn't have people pouring into China," he said, adding that Beijing did not face drugs flowing across its borders.

When reminded that China regards Taiwan as a separatist threat, Trump responded, "That's up to him (Xi), what he's going to be doing. But, you know, I've expressed to him that I would be very unhappy if he did that, and I don't think he'll do that."

China considers Taiwan a breakaway province, while Taipei has maintained independence since 1949.