Taiwan President Defends U.S. Arms Purchases After Trump Comments
Taiwan’s president on Sunday said arms purchases from the United States remain the most important deterrent against regional conflict. President Trump had described a potential new arms package as a negotiating chip during his recent visit to China.
focustaiwan.twTaiwan’s president on Sunday said arms purchases from the United States are the most important deterrent against regional conflict and instability. The statement followed comments by President Trump questioning continued U.S. support for Taiwan after his visit to China.
Arms Sales and U.S.
The president thanked President Trump for continued support for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait since his first term, including increases in the scale and amount of arms sales.
President Trump said in a Friday interview on Fox News that he has yet to approve a new $14 billion arms package to Taiwan and that it depends on China. “It’s a very good negotiating chip for us frankly,” he said. The comments came just as Trump wrapped up a high-stakes visit to China.
Taiwan will not provoke or escalate conflict but will also not relinquish its national sovereignty and dignity or its democratic and free way of life under pressure, the president said. The president called China the root cause of undermining regional peace and stability and attempting to change the status quo.
China has framed Taiwan as the most important issue in China-U.S. relations during recent talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Trump. Xi warned Trump of clashes and even conflicts if the issue of Taiwan was not handled properly. China and Taiwan have been governed separately since 1949, when the Communist Party rose to power in Beijing following a civil war.
Defeated Nationalist Party forces fled to Taiwan, which later transitioned from martial law to multiparty democracy.
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