Taiwan President Affirms Defending Status Quo; US State Department Confirms No Change in Taiwan Policy
Following comments by US President Trump on arms sales to Taiwan, President Lai Ching-te emphasized defending the Republic of China's status quo, stating there is no "Taiwan independence" issue. The US State Department responded by reaffirming its policy toward Taiwan remains unchanged, aiming to stabilize the region and confirm the continuity of US security commitments under the Taiwan Relations Act.
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- 📰 Published: May 19, 2026 at 05:02
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(CNA, Washington, 18th) Following attention-grabbing remarks by US President Trump concerning Taiwan, President Lai Ching-te subsequently mentioned defending the status quo of the Republic of China, stating there is no "Taiwan independence" issue, and emphasized that US-Taiwan security cooperation and arms sales are the most crucial deterrent against actions that undermine regional peace and stability. The U.S. State Department responded today to a query from a CNA reporter on this matter, stating that its policy toward Taiwan remains unchanged.
Donald Trump visited China last week and met with Chinese President Xi Jinping. After the meeting, Trump stated that they had discussed the issue of US arms sales to Taiwan and that he would make a decision on it soon. Trump also said that the pending arms sales package to Taiwan is a "good bargaining chip" and that he might or might not approve the sale.
Trump also said that he does not want to see Taiwan move toward independence but rather to maintain the status quo, and that both China and Taiwan should de-escalate the situation. He added that US policy has not changed.
After the Trump-Xi meeting, President Lai posted on Facebook on the evening of the 17th, Taipei time, stating that after being briefed by his national security team on the latest situation, he affirmed that in defending the status quo of the Republic of China, there is no "Taiwan independence" issue, and that the Republic of China, Taiwan, is a sovereign and independent democratic country.
On the issue of arms sales, President Lai stated that the long-term security cooperation and arms sales between Taiwan and the US are based on the "Taiwan Relations Act." This is not only a US security commitment to Taiwan but has also long been the most important deterrent against forces undermining regional peace and stability.
When a reporter asked about President Lai's remarks on the "Taiwan independence" issue and whether the US government is expected to approve a new arms sale package to Taiwan, a State Department spokesperson responded briefly via email on background, stating, "As the Secretary (Rubio) has said, our policy on Taiwan remains unchanged."
The White House suggested referring to President Trump's remarks.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, while accompanying President Trump on his visit to China last week, stated in an interview with US media: "To this day, the United States' policy on the Taiwan issue has not changed."
Several bipartisan members of the US Congress have expressed that the United States should continue to provide weapons to Taiwan. (Editor: Liu Shu-qin) 1150519
Donald Trump visited China last week and met with Chinese President Xi Jinping. After the meeting, Trump stated that they had discussed the issue of US arms sales to Taiwan and that he would make a decision on it soon. Trump also said that the pending arms sales package to Taiwan is a "good bargaining chip" and that he might or might not approve the sale.
Trump also said that he does not want to see Taiwan move toward independence but rather to maintain the status quo, and that both China and Taiwan should de-escalate the situation. He added that US policy has not changed.
After the Trump-Xi meeting, President Lai posted on Facebook on the evening of the 17th, Taipei time, stating that after being briefed by his national security team on the latest situation, he affirmed that in defending the status quo of the Republic of China, there is no "Taiwan independence" issue, and that the Republic of China, Taiwan, is a sovereign and independent democratic country.
On the issue of arms sales, President Lai stated that the long-term security cooperation and arms sales between Taiwan and the US are based on the "Taiwan Relations Act." This is not only a US security commitment to Taiwan but has also long been the most important deterrent against forces undermining regional peace and stability.
When a reporter asked about President Lai's remarks on the "Taiwan independence" issue and whether the US government is expected to approve a new arms sale package to Taiwan, a State Department spokesperson responded briefly via email on background, stating, "As the Secretary (Rubio) has said, our policy on Taiwan remains unchanged."
The White House suggested referring to President Trump's remarks.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, while accompanying President Trump on his visit to China last week, stated in an interview with US media: "To this day, the United States' policy on the Taiwan issue has not changed."
Several bipartisan members of the US Congress have expressed that the United States should continue to provide weapons to Taiwan. (Editor: Liu Shu-qin) 1150519