Taiwan has reaffirmed that it is “sovereign and independent” after U.S. President Donald Trump cautioned the island against formally declaring independence following his summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing.
Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry said Saturday that the Republic of China, Taiwan’s official name, is a sovereign democratic country and that its future can be decided only by Taiwan’s 23 million people. However, the ministry also stressed that Taipei would continue to maintain the “cross-strait status quo,” meaning it does not plan to make a formal declaration of independence from China.
The statement came after Trump told Fox News that he was not seeking a Taiwan independence crisis. “I’m not looking to have somebody go independent,” Trump said, adding that he did not want the United States to be drawn into a war with China over the island.
Trump made the remarks after meeting Xi in Beijing, where Taiwan was among the most sensitive issues discussed. Beijing claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to bring the island under its control. Taipei rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claim and says Taiwan’s democratic system must be protected.
The U.S. does not formally recognise Taiwan as an independent state, but it maintains unofficial relations with Taipei and is legally committed under the Taiwan Relations Act to provide the island with defensive weapons. Washington has long followed a policy of “strategic ambiguity,” avoiding a clear public commitment on whether it would intervene militarily if China attacked Taiwan.
Trump’s comments appeared to lean toward preserving the current balance rather than endorsing either Beijing’s claim or a formal Taiwanese independence push. He said he wanted both sides to “cool down,” suggesting that maintaining the status quo was the best way to avoid conflict.
For Taiwan, the response was designed to reassure domestic audiences while avoiding a direct confrontation with Washington. By calling itself sovereign and independent but also pledging to maintain the status quo, Taipei signalled that it would not accept Chinese rule, but would also avoid steps that could trigger a military crisis.
The exchange highlights the delicate position Taiwan faces after Trump’s China visit. Taipei depends heavily on U.S. security support, but Trump’s remarks suggest his administration may be wary of being pulled into a conflict if Taiwan takes unilateral steps toward formal independence.
