Source: Republic of China Taiwan
MOFA response to US President Trump’s comments to media regarding Taiwan
May 15, 2026 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has noted US President Donald Trump’s media interview and comments aboard Air Force One regarding Taiwan.
It is readily apparent that since the Trump administration assumed office, President Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and other high-level officials have reiterated on numerous occasions that the long-standing and consistent policy of the United States regarding Taiwan remains unchanged. They have also emphasized the importance that the United States attaches to regional peace and stability and to maintaining the status quo. To date, the Trump administration has approved two arms sales to Taiwan and continues to work with Taiwan and regional partners to jointly safeguard peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
The Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign and independent democratic country. It is widely acknowledged that military threats from China are the only source of regional instability. China has engaged in relentless and substantial military expansionism and attempted to project power globally. People’s Liberation Army aircraft and vessels frequently conduct exercises around the Taiwan Strait—including a variety of gray-zone and military harassment tactics. The key to preserving regional peace and stability is an effective, joint deterrence against Beijing, which is currently the greatest danger to regional peace and stability. Therefore, Taiwan’s primary and overriding mission is to strive to uphold the status quo and demonstrate its resolve for self-defense, protecting the freedom and democracy of its 23 million people and ensuring that cross-strait security and stability are not threatened or undermined.
US arms sales to Taiwan are not only an explicitly stated US security commitment under the Taiwan Relations Act, but they are also a joint deterrent against regional threats. Taiwan thanks President Trump for supporting security across the Taiwan Strait since his first term. The value of the most recently announced arms sale package was the highest ever. Close Taiwan-US cooperation has always been the cornerstone of cross-strait peace.
Taiwan is the most important nexus of defense in the first island chain and a key driver of global economic prosperity. Taiwan will continue to staunchly defend the regional status quo and bolster cooperation with the United States and other democratic partners worldwide to establish effective deterrent capabilities and collectively address the risks that authoritarian regimes pose to geopolitical security, the international order, and global stability.