Taiwan calls US arms sales vital for stability after Trump’s remarks

Image: AP, X@SiteTaiwanInfo

Taiwan’s deputy foreign minister Chen Ming-chi on Saturday stated that the island remained committed to maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, while asserting that only the people of Taiwan could democratically decide the island’s future. The minister also said US arms sales to Taiwan were guaranteed under the Taiwan Relations Act, as cited by Reuters.“US arms sales have always been a cornerstone of regional peace and stability,” the minister said.Ming-chi said that Taiwan “still needs to understand true intent of Trump’s remarks on speaking to Taiwan’s leader.”“Taiwan must be willing to defend itself,” he added.US President Donald Trump said on Friday that he had yet to decide whether to move ahead with a major weapons sale to Taiwan, adding to uncertainty over Washington’s support for the democratically governed island following his China visit this week.Trump also cautioned Taiwan against making any formal declaration of independence from China during his two-day summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing.“I’m not looking to have somebody go independent,” Trump told Fox News on Friday.Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has previously argued that Taiwan does not need to formally declare independence because it already considers itself a sovereign nation.The United States has long backed Taiwan and is legally required to provide the island with means for self-defence, even as Washington continues to balance that support with maintaining diplomatic ties with China.The Trump administration authorised an $11 billion weapons package for Taipei in December, but the deal has yet to progress. Separately, lawmakers approved a $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan in January, though it cannot move ahead until Trump formally submits it to Congress.