Taiwan says it is already independent after Trump warns against formal declaration

Taiwan has stated said it is already an independent country after US President Donald Trump warned Taipei against making any formal declaration of independence from China following his summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry on May 16 said the island is “a sovereign and independent nation” and stressed that its future can only be decided by the Taiwanese people. The statement came hours after Trump said he did not support any unilateral declaration of independence by Taiwan.

Trump made the remarks after concluding talks with Xi Jinping in Beijing, where Taiwan was reportedly one of the central issues discussed between the two leaders. Xi is said to have warned that Taiwan remains the “most sensitive issue” in China-US relations.

China considers Taiwan part of its territory and has repeatedly stated that it opposes any move towards formal Taiwanese independence. Beijing has also not ruled out the use of force to bring the island under its control.

Taiwan, however, functions as a self-governed democracy with its own government, military and constitution. Taiwanese officials have consistently maintained that the island does not need to declare independence because it already operates as an independent state.

Trump said the US wanted stability in the Taiwan Strait and did not want rising tensions between Beijing and Taipei to escalate further. He also said Washington remained committed to maintaining peace in the region.

The United States officially follows the “One China” policy, recognising Beijing diplomatically while maintaining unofficial ties and defence cooperation with Taiwan under the Taiwan Relations Act.

The exchange of statements comes amid increasing military and political tensions in the Taiwan Strait, which China claims as part of its territory while the US continues security cooperation with Taiwan.