US arms sales to Taiwan remain a “cornerstone” for maintaining peace and stability in the region, Taiwanese Vice Foreign Minister Chen Ming-chi said. In a statement to the media, Chen said Taipei would continue to communicate with Washington to follow developments regarding military agreements and arms supplies.
The statement comes after US President Donald Trump warned Taiwan not to take steps towards formally declaring independence.
In an interview with Fox News, recorded before his departure from China, Trump said the US does not want to encourage a declaration of independence by Taiwan. "We don't want anyone to say, 'Let's declare independence because the United States supports us,'" Trump said.
The US president also added that he has not yet made a final decision regarding future arms sales to Taiwan, an issue that continues to remain a source of tension between Washington and Beijing.
