Taiwan has responded to recent comments by US President Donald Trump regarding the island’s independence, reaffirming its position as a sovereign democratic state.
During his visit to Beijing, Trump said US policy toward Taiwan had not changed but signalled opposition to any formal move by Taiwan toward declaring independence from China. He also questioned the prospect of direct US military involvement in the event of a conflict over the island.
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Speaking in an interview, Trump said he was not seeking a scenario in which Taiwan declares independence and the United States is expected to engage in a distant military conflict. He added that he wanted both sides to lower tensions and avoid escalation.
In response, Taiwan’s foreign ministry thanked Trump for supporting peace efforts in the region while reiterating that Taiwan is a self-governing and sovereign democracy.
The ministry said Beijing has no right to claim jurisdiction over Taiwan and stressed that the island would continue strengthening cooperation with the United States while maintaining regional peace through defence preparedness.
Taiwan also stated that it remains committed to ensuring security and stability in the Taiwan Strait, a strategically important waterway frequently at the centre of tensions between Beijing and Washington.
China considers Taiwan part of its territory and has repeatedly stated that reunification with the mainland is a national objective. Beijing has not ruled out the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control.
A spokesperson linked to Chinese President Xi Jinping recently described Taiwan as the most important issue in China-US relations and a central factor in the future of bilateral ties.
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Taiwan, however, operates under its own democratically elected government and maintains separate political and economic systems.
Trump’s remarks come amid heightened US-China engagement during his Beijing trip, where trade, regional security and geopolitical flashpoints were key discussion points.
The comments have drawn international attention as analysts assess their implications for longstanding US strategic ambiguity regarding Taiwan’s defence and political status.
The Taiwan issue remains one of the most sensitive and potentially volatile disputes in international politics.