Taiwan reaffirmed its sovereignty on Saturday after U.S. President Donald Trump cautioned against the island’s self-determination. This statement came in the wake of a two-day summit between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing.
The Taiwanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared, “Taiwan is a sovereign and independent democratic state and does not subordinate itself to the People’s Republic of China.” This assertion was a direct response to Trump’s comments made on Friday, where he expressed a reluctance for any nation to pursue independence, particularly in the context of potential Chinese aggression against Taiwan.
Despite the U.S. not officially recognizing Taiwan as an independent entity, it has faced criticism from China for its arms sales to the island. Xi Jinping urged Trump to halt these sales, emphasizing that China views Taiwan as an integral part of its territory.
According to Chinese state media, Xi described Taiwan as the “most critical issue in Sino-American relations” and warned that unresolved tensions could lead to conflict. In contrast, Trump sought to de-escalate the situation, asserting that Xi does not desire war.
Following his visit to China, Trump advised Taiwan against declaring independence. However, he refrained from providing a clear answer regarding the long-delayed U.S. arms package intended for Taiwan.
Taiwan has reiterated its status as a sovereign nation in response to President Trump's warning against independence. This statement follows a summit between Trump and Xi Jinping, where tensions over Taiwan's status were a focal point.