Taiwan’s president Lai Ching‑te reiterated the island’s commitment to its sovereignty after a recent summit between former U.S. president Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, in which Taiwan’s status was a key topic. Lai, who has previously said that Taiwan already considers itself a sovereign nation, made a direct Facebook post stating that Taiwan will not provoke conflict but will not relinquish its independence.

Lai’s message underscored that Taiwan’s future should be decided by the Taiwanese people. He emphasized that the island has maintained a status‑quo policy and has not sought formal independence. The president also noted a willingness to engage in “healthy and orderly exchanges” with China on an equal footing, while rejecting any pressure to accept unification under Beijing’s terms.

In the days leading up to the U.S.–China meeting, Trump warned that he was not looking to see Taiwan declare independence. He also discussed potential U.S. arms sales to Taipei, with the Trump administration approving an $11 billion purchase in December and hinting at another $14 billion deal. The U.S. remains Taiwan’s largest arms supplier under the Taiwan Relations Act, a relationship that Beijing has continually objected to.

The president thanked Trump for continued U.S. support, citing the importance of arms sales and security cooperation in preserving regional stability. Beijing has repeatedly described Lai as a “troublemaker” and has warned that it will not rule out force to bring the island under its control.

Taiwan’s stance—defending its democratic system and sovereignty while seeking a peaceful status quo—continues to be a focal point in cross‑strait relations, with China maintaining a willingness to use military pressure to achieve reunification.