Taiwan's Presidential Office on Sunday, 17 May reaffirmed Taipei's commitment to preserving the cross-strait 'status quo' and contributing to regional peace and security, following remarks by US President Donald Trump that raised fresh questions about Washington's posture on Taiwanese independence.

Presidential Office spokeswoman Karen Kuo reiterated that 'the Republic of China is a sovereign and independent democratic nation' and that China has no right to claim sovereignty over Taiwan, according to the Taipei Times.

What Trump Said After the Beijing Summit

The statement came in direct response to Trump's remarks following his state visit to Beijing, where Chinese President Xi Jinping urged him not to support Taiwan. Speaking to Fox News, Trump said he and Xi 'talked a lot' about Taiwan, and that Xi 'does not want to see a fight for independence, because that would be a very strong confrontation.'

When asked whether the people of Taiwan should feel more or less secure following his meeting with Xi, Trump replied: 'Neutral. This has been going on for years,' adding that US policy on Taiwan had not changed. 'Nothing's changed. I will say this: I'm not looking to have somebody go independent. And, you know, we're supposed to travel 9,500 miles to fight a war. I'm not looking for that. I want them to cool down. I want China to cool down,' Trump told Fox News.

Xi's Warning: Taiwan Issue Could Destabilise US-China Ties

During talks in Beijing on Thursday, Xi Jinping framed the Taiwan question as the single most consequential variable in US-China relations. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement quoting Xi: 'The Taiwan question is the most important issue in China-US relations. If it is handled properly, the bilateral relationship will enjoy overall stability. Otherwise, the two countries will have clashes and even conflicts, putting the entire relationship in great jeopardy.'

Xi further stated that 'Taiwan independence' and cross-strait peace are 'as irreconcilable as fire and water,' and described safeguarding stability across the Taiwan Strait as 'the biggest common denominator between China and the US.'

The Structural Stakes for Taiwan

Taiwan relies heavily on US security support as its primary deterrent against military action by Beijing. China maintains that Taiwan is part of its territory and has not ruled out reunification by force. Despite sustained pressure — including repeated military incursions into Taiwan's air defence identification zone — Taipei continues to assert its sovereignty, backed by strong domestic public support.

Notably, this is not the first time a US president's language on Taiwan has prompted a clarifying statement from Taipei. The pattern reflects a recurring tension: Washington's strategic ambiguity on Taiwan has long served as both a deterrent and a source of anxiety for the island's leadership.

What Comes Next

Analysts will closely watch whether the Trump administration issues any formal clarification of its One China Policy posture in the coming weeks. For now, Taipei has signalled it will not alter its political position regardless of the diplomatic signals emerging from the Trump-Xi summit. The cross-strait situation remains one of the most closely monitored flashpoints in Indo-Pacific geopolitics.