Taiwan Reaffirms Sovereignty After Trump Warns Against Independence Declaration

Taiwan has insisted it is a sovereign, independent nation after US President Donald Trump cautioned it against formally declaring independence from China.

Trump spoke after a two-day summit in Beijing. He said he had "made no commitment either way" about the self-governing island, which China claims as part of its territory and has not ruled out taking by force.

After talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Trump also said he would soon decide whether to approve an $11 billion package of weapons for Taiwan.

The US administration is required by law to help Taiwan defend itself, but it must balance that obligation with its diplomatic relationship with China.

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has said Taiwan does not need to declare formal independence because it already considers itself a sovereign nation.

On Saturday, presidential spokesperson Karen Kuo said it was "self-evident" that Taiwan was "a sovereign, independent democratic country." She added that Taiwan remained committed to maintaining the status quo with China, under which it neither declares independence nor unites with the mainland.

Many Taiwanese see themselves as part of a separate nation, though most favor keeping the current arrangement.

Washington's long-standing position is that it does not support Taiwanese independence, and its ties with Beijing depend on acceptance that there is only one Chinese government.

In an interview with Fox News after the meetings, Trump said US policy on Taiwan had not changed and that he did not seek conflict with Beijing. "You know, we're supposed to travel 9,500 miles to fight a war. I'm not looking for that. I want them to cool down. I want China to cool down," he said.

On the flight back to Washington, Trump told reporters that he and Xi had spoken "a lot" about the island but that he had declined to discuss whether the US would defend it. Xi "feels very strongly" about the island and "doesn't want to see a movement for independence," Trump said.

Beijing has criticized Taiwan's president, calling him a "troublemaker" and a "destroyer of cross-strait peace." China has increased military drills around the island in recent years, raising tensions and testing the balance Washington has maintained.

Trump added that he would speak to the person "that's running Taiwan." The US does not have formal relations with Taiwan, though it maintains substantial unofficial ties. US presidents do not traditionally speak directly to Taiwan's leader, as doing so would likely cause significant tensions with Beijing.