Trump's Remark on "Detailed Talks with Xi Jinping on Taiwan Arms Sales" Sparks Controversy... Taiwan Moves to Defuse Tensions (Comprehensive)

Trump: "The 1980s are quite a long time ago"...
Hints at a shift in 44-year policy stance
Taiwan: "Arms sales are a security commitment stipulated in the Taiwan Relations Act"

Controversy is growing over whether the United States is shifting its traditional policy stance on Taiwan, after U.S. President Donald Trump revealed that he discussed the issue of arms sales to Taiwan "in great detail" with Chinese President Xi Jinping. In response, the Taiwanese government sought to quell concerns by emphasizing its security cooperation with the United States.

On May 15 (local time), President Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, returning home after his visit to China, that he had held in-depth discussions with President Xi regarding arms sales to Taiwan.

When a reporter pointed out, "In 1982, the Ronald Reagan administration promised not to consult with China regarding arms sales to Taiwan, but this time it appears you have discussed the issue with President Xi," President Trump replied, "The 1980s are quite a long time ago."

He went on to say, "We discussed arms sales to Taiwan, and in fact, all discussions took place in great detail."

Chinese President Xi Jinping (left in the photo) and U.S. President Donald Trump. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

In 1982, during the Reagan administration, the United States announced the "Six Assurances," which included a pledge not to hold prior consultations with China regarding arms sales to Taiwan. This outlined the U.S. policy of not allowing China any involvement in its arms sales to Taiwan.

Previously, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated in an interview with NBC immediately after the U.S.-China summit, "America's Taiwan policy has not changed." However, following President Trump's comments, debate has intensified over the possibility of a policy shift regarding Taiwan.

In response, Taiwan has sought to ease concerns by emphasizing its cooperative relationship with the U.S. On this day, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement highlighting that "close cooperation between Taiwan and the United States is the key foundation for peace in the Taiwan Strait" and that "U.S. arms sales to Taiwan are a security commitment stipulated in the Taiwan Relations Act."

The Ministry also expressed its appreciation, stating, "The Taiwanese government is grateful that President Trump has consistently supported security in the Taiwan Strait since his first term, and that the scale of U.S. arms sales to Taiwan has reached the highest level ever."

Additionally, the Ministry explained, "Since the launch of the Trump administration, President Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and other senior U.S. officials have repeatedly stressed that there is no change in Taiwan policy, and have consistently emphasized the importance of regional peace and maintaining the status quo."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs added, "Taiwan is a central axis of the First Island Chain and a key hub for global economic development. 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 states."

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