Taiwan Responds to Trump’s Suspension of $12 Billion Arms Sale

Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to recent remarks by US President Donald Trump regarding the suspension of a $12 billion arms sale, stating that the island is a democratic country with independent sovereignty and is not under the rule of the People’s Republic of China.

In a statement, the ministry emphasized that arms cooperation with the United States is carried out within the framework of Washington’s commitments to Taiwan and forms part of the deterrence mechanism against regional threats.

Taipei’s reaction came hours after President Trump, following his visit to China, announced that the sale of weapons to Taiwan had been suspended.

Referring to the ongoing tensions between China and Taiwan, Trump said the continuation of the suspension “depends on China,” a remark interpreted as an indirect message to Beijing. The Taiwan issue remains one of the most sensitive points of contention between China and the United States.