Taiwan Affirms Strong Alliance with Washington Following Trump-Xi Call
In a clear political statement following a sensitive discussion between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te affirmed that relations between Taiwan and the United States remain "rock solid". He emphasized that all cooperative programs will continue without changes.
Lai's comments came on Thursday after Trump and Xi addressed the Taiwan issue during their phone call, with Xi warning Washington to exercise caution regarding arms sales to the island, which Beijing considers part of its territory.
Speaking to reporters in central Taiwan, President Lai stated that Taiwan maintains strong and continuous communication channels with the United States, assuring that American commitments to Taiwan will remain unchanged, with no regressions or alterations.
Lai added that the current political reality—that Taiwan is not part of the People's Republic of China—will remain intact, directly rejecting ongoing Chinese pressure.
Although the United States, like most countries, does not have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, it is the island's primary international supporter and is legally obligated to provide the necessary means for self-defense.
In this context, the Trump administration announced a historic $11.1 billion arms sale to Taiwan last December, marking the largest military agreement between the two sides, which sparked outrage in Beijing and heightened regional tensions.
These developments occur as U.S.-China relations remain strained, with Taipei striving to underscore the stability of its alliance with Washington despite persistent pressure and warnings from Beijing.
