A high-ranking Taiwanese official on Saturday defended the importance of American weapon sales following President Donald Trump’s statement that he remains undecided about future arms deals with the island.
Taiwan Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Ming-chi told reporters in Taipei that weapon sales from America are established under the Taiwan Relations Act and serve as a foundation for peace and stability in the region.
“Taiwan-U.S. arms sales have always been a cornerstone of regional peace and stability,” he said.
The comments came after Trump indicated Friday following his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing that he had not made a decision regarding a significant weapons sale, raising questions about America’s ongoing support for Taiwan.
While the United States lacks official diplomatic relations with Taiwan, Washington serves as the island’s primary international supporter. The democratically governed territory faces territorial claims from China, and American law requires the provision of defensive weapons to Taiwan.
The Trump administration greenlit a historic $11 billion arms package for Taiwan in December. Reports indicate a second deal valued at approximately $14 billion remains pending Trump’s approval.
Chen refused to discuss specifics about the second package since it has not been publicly announced, stating that Taiwan would maintain dialogue with American officials to monitor developments.
During his post-summit remarks with Xi, Trump suggested he might discuss the proposed sale with Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, saying he needed to speak with “the person … that’s running Taiwan.”
When asked about this possibility, Chen said Taiwan needed to determine the “true intent” behind Trump’s statements.
Beijing has maintained the option of using military force to bring Taiwan under its authority and has rejected multiple dialogue offers from Lai, labeling him a “separatist.”
Chen described the Republic of China, Taiwan’s official designation, as a “sovereign and independent country.”
“And only the 23 million people of Taiwan can decide our own future through democratic means,” he stated.
