Taiwan says is an ‘independent’ nation, after Trump’s warning

Taiwan said on Saturday (May 16, 2026) it is an “independent” nation, hours after U.S. President Donald Trump warned the democratic island against declaring formal independence.

Mr. Trump wrapped up a state visit to Beijing on Friday (May 15, 2026) where Chinese President Xi Jinping had pressed him not to support Taiwan, which China claims is part of its territory.

Taiwan depends heavily on U.S. security backing to deter China from carrying out its threat to annex the island by force.

Taiwan “is a sovereign and independent democratic nation, and is not subordinate to the People’s Republic of China”, Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The Ministry also insisted that U.S. arms sales were part of Washington’s security commitment to Taiwan, after Mr. Trump flagged that he was considering the issue.

Taiwan’s statements came after Mr. Trump issued a warning to the island against making a declaration of independence.

“I’m not looking to have somebody go independent. And, you know, we’re supposed to travel 9,500 miles to fight a war. I’m not looking for that,” he told Fox News‘ “Special Report with Bret Baier”.

“I want them to cool down. I want China to cool down,” Mr. Trump said.

“We’re not looking to have wars, and if you kept it the way it is, I think China’s going to be OK with that.”

The United States recognises only Beijing and does not support formal independence by Taiwan, but historically has stopped short of explicitly saying it opposes independence.

Under U.S. law, the United States is required to provide weapons to Taiwan for its defence, but it has been ambiguous on whether U.S. forces would come to the island’s aid.

Mr. Xi had begun the summit with a warning on Taiwan, whose President Lai Ching-te considers the island already independent, making a declaration unnecessary.

The Chinese leader told Mr. Trump that missteps on the sensitive issue could cause “conflict”.

Taiwan’s Presidential Office noted on Saturday (May 16, 2026) the “multiple reaffirmations from the U.S. side, including President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, that the consistent U.S. policy and position toward Taiwan remain unchanged”.

“Taiwan-U.S. cooperation has always been demonstrated through action,” spokeswoman Karen Kuo said in a statement.

“Taiwan looks forward to continuing to work with the US under the firm commitments of the Taiwan Relations Act.”

U.S. weapon sales

Ahead of the summit, Mr. Trump had said he would speak to Mr. Xi about U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, a departure from Washington’s previous insistence that it would not consult Beijing on the matter.

Taiwan’s Parliament recently approved a $25 billion defence spending bill that will be used for U.S. weapons.

Lawmakers have said the funds will cover nearly $9 billion of the $11.1 billion arms package announced by Washington in December and a second phase of arms sales — not yet approved by the United States — worth more than $15 billion.

Speaking to reporters on Friday (May 15, 2026) en route to Washington, Mr. Trump said on arms sales: “I’ll make a determination over the next fairly short period of time.”

Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry said arms were “not only a U.S. security commitment to Taiwan clearly stipulated in the Taiwan Relations Act, but also a form of joint deterrence against regional threats”.

China has sworn to take the island and has not ruled out using force, ramping up military pressure in recent years.