Taiwan on Saturday reaffirmed that it is a “sovereign and independent” nation and defended ongoing American arms sales as part of Washington’s long-standing security commitment to the island, following remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump warning Taipei against formally declaring independence.
The statement from Taiwan’s foreign ministry came a day after Trump concluded a high-profile visit to China, where he held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping amid growing tensions over the future of Taiwan. Following the meeting, Trump publicly urged restraint, saying he did not want Taiwan to move toward formal independence and expressed concern about the possibility of military conflict in the region.
Taiwan’s foreign ministry responded by asserting that the island “is a sovereign and independent democratic nation” and “is not subordinate to the People’s Republic of China.” Officials in Taipei also thanked Trump for what they described as his long-standing support for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, despite his latest warning.
The ministry further defended U.S.-Taiwan defence cooperation, stressing that American arms sales are clearly established under the Taiwan Relations Act and serve as a deterrent against regional threats. Taiwan Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Ming-chi reiterated that position during remarks to reporters in Taipei, describing Taiwan-U.S. arms sales as a cornerstone of regional peace and stability.
The Trump administration had approved a record $11 billion arms sale package for Taiwan in December, while reports indicate a second package worth approximately $14 billion is still awaiting presidential approval. Taiwanese officials declined to comment in detail on the pending deal, saying discussions with Washington remain ongoing.
Trump’s comments have intensified attention on the fragile balance across the Taiwan Strait. Speaking after his Beijing visit, the U.S. president suggested he opposed any formal declaration of Taiwanese independence and questioned the extent of American military involvement in a potential conflict with China.
“I’m not looking to have somebody go independent,” Trump said in an interview following his meeting with Xi. He added that he wanted both sides “to cool down” and stressed that the United States was “not looking to have wars.”
The United States officially recognises Beijing rather than Taipei diplomatically and does not formally support Taiwanese independence. However, under American law, Washington is obligated to provide Taiwan with defensive weapons, while maintaining a policy of strategic ambiguity over whether U.S. forces would directly defend the island in the event of an attack.
During the summit in Beijing, Xi reportedly warned Trump that mishandling the Taiwan issue could push China and the United States toward direct conflict. China considers Taiwan part of its territory and has repeatedly vowed to bring the self-ruled island under its control, by force if necessary.
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has maintained that Taiwan is already effectively independent, making any formal declaration unnecessary. The issue remains one of the most sensitive flashpoints in U.S.-China relations and a major source of geopolitical tension in the Indo-Pacific region.
