Taiwan Rejects “Being Traded Away” After Trump Calls for De-escalation

(MENAFN) Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te said on Sunday that Taiwan “will never be sacrificed or traded away,” responding to remarks by US President Donald Trump urging both Taiwan and China to reduce tensions.

Trump made the comments during a Fox News interview, saying he did not want escalation between the two sides and stressed the need for de-escalation, adding that any potential conflict would be distant for the United States.

In response, Lai emphasized that maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is widely viewed as a shared interest among Taiwan and democratic partners, including the United States, according to statements shared on social media.

He reiterated that Taiwan’s sovereignty must not be compromised and that its future should be determined solely by its people, framing this position as part of maintaining the current status quo.

Lai also expressed appreciation for continued US support, noting ongoing security cooperation and arms sales as key elements in strengthening Taiwan’s defense capabilities.

He pointed out that Washington remains Taiwan’s primary arms supplier, with major defense deals approved in recent years, which has drawn objections from Beijing.

China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory, has not yet issued an official response to Lai’s latest remarks, while Taipei continues to assert its separate political status since 1949.

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