Taiwan Reaffirms Strong Ties with U.S. Following Trump-Xi Discussion
Following a sensitive discussion between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has reaffirmed that Taiwan's relations with the United States are "as solid as a rock." He emphasized that all collaborative programs with Washington will continue unchanged.
President Lai's remarks were made on Thursday after Trump and Xi addressed the Taiwan issue during their call, where Xi cautioned the U.S. to manage arms sales to Taiwan with care, as Beijing views the island as part of its territory.
In a press briefing in central Taiwan, Lai clarified that Taiwan maintains strong communication channels with the United States, asserting that U.S. commitments to Taiwan will remain steadfast without any alterations.
Lai also reiterated that the current political reality, which asserts that Taiwan is not a part of the People's Republic of China, will persist, directly countering ongoing Chinese pressures.
While the United States does not have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, it is regarded as the island's most crucial international ally and is legally bound to assist in its defense.
In this context, the Trump administration announced a historic arms sale to Taiwan last December, valued at $11.1 billion, marking the largest military deal between the two entities, which provoked strong reactions from Beijing and escalated regional tensions.
These developments occur amid ongoing strains in U.S.-China relations, as Taipei seeks to reinforce the stability of its alliance with Washington in the face of persistent Chinese pressures and warnings.
