"U.S. Arms Sales to Taiwan Are a Legal Commitment"... Taiwan Responds to Trump’s Remarks

"Security Commitment Stipulated in Taiwan Relations Act"
Reaffirming Cooperation with the United States

After U.S. President Donald Trump remarked that arms sales to Taiwan could be used as a bargaining chip in negotiations with China, the Taiwanese government responded by emphasizing its cooperative relationship with the United States.

In a statement released late in the evening on May 15, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan said, "We are closely following President Trump's remarks," adding, "The close cooperation between Taiwan and the United States has long been the core foundation of peace in the Taiwan Strait."

The ministry further stressed, "U.S. arms sales to Taiwan are not only a security commitment stipulated in the Taiwan Relations Act, but also serve as a joint deterrence against regional threats."

Taiwan flag. Photo by EPA/The Yonhap News

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also stated, "The Taiwanese government appreciates that President Trump has continuously supported security in the Taiwan Strait since his first term, and that the scale of U.S. arms sales to Taiwan has reached its highest level ever."

Additionally, the ministry noted, "Since the launch of the Trump Administration, President Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and other senior U.S. officials have repeatedly emphasized that there has been no change in U.S. policy on Taiwan," adding, "They have also consistently highlighted the importance of regional peace and maintaining the status quo."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs added, "Taiwan is a key link in the First Island Chain and a major hub for global economic development," and stated, "We will strengthen cooperation with democratic allies such as the United States to build effective deterrence and jointly respond to the geopolitical threats posed by authoritarian countries."

Earlier, on May 15 (local time), President Trump, speaking to reporters on his private plane after concluding a three-day state visit to China, said that he had "discussed in great detail" the issue of U.S. arms sales to Taiwan with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Following this statement, speculation emerged about whether the United States might be shifting the Taiwan policy it has maintained for 44 years.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.