Taipei, Taiwan – Just hours after US President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Taiwan against declaring independence, authorities in Taipei reiterated that the island is a fully sovereign and independent state. They also emphasized that US arms sales fall under Washington’s unwavering security commitments to Taiwan.
Taipei maintains its sovereignty and rejects subservience to Beijing.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in an official statement that Taiwan is “a sovereign and independent democratic state, and is in no way subordinate to the People’s Republic of China.” It added that “China’s continued military threats remain the primary source of insecurity and instability in the region.”
Despite differing stances, Taiwan expressed its gratitude to Trump for his continued support of Taiwan Strait security since his first presidential term. It noted that close cooperation between Taipei and Washington has always been a cornerstone of regional peace.
The ministry emphasized that US arms sales to the island are not merely commercial transactions, but rather a US security commitment explicitly enshrined in the Taiwan Relations Act. It also characterized them as a form of joint deterrence against external threats. This came in response to Trump’s statements indicating that he had not yet made a final decision regarding the completion of new arms deals.
A cornerstone for peace and concerns about political uncertainty
In the same vein, Taiwan’s Vice Foreign Minister Chen Ming-chi emphasized that US arms supplies have always been a cornerstone of peace and stability, a fact guaranteed by US law.
He explained to reporters that Taiwan will maintain communication channels with the US side to understand the precise logistical and political situation regarding the ongoing developments. It will also work to determine the fate of any additional arms sales.
Following his recent visit to China, US President Donald Trump created uncertainty and anticipation by announcing that he had not yet decided whether to proceed with a major arms sale to Taiwan. Trump warned Taipei against formally declaring independence, stating that the United States did not want a direct war with China over Taiwan. However, he also suggested that Beijing would not take military action as long as the status quo remained unchanged.
Beijing considers Taiwan an integral part of its territory under the “One China” principle, a condition it imposes on the international community for establishing diplomatic relations. Therefore, the issue of US arms sales to Taipei remains a constant flashpoint in relations between the two superpowers.
