Taiwan Reasserts Sovereignty After Trump's 9,500-Mile Defense Warning
Updated
Updated · Euronews · May 16
Taiwan Reasserts Sovereignty After Trump's 9,500-Mile Defense Warning
10 articles · Updated · Euronews · May 16
Taiwan's foreign ministry said Beijing has "no right" to claim jurisdiction over the island, calling Taiwan a sovereign democracy after Donald Trump warned against any formal independence move.
Trump, speaking during a Beijing visit, said U.S. policy had not changed but questioned why America should travel 9,500 miles to fight if China invaded, while urging both sides to "cool down."
Taipei thanked Trump for supporting regional peace but said it would deepen cooperation with the United States and maintain "peace through strength" to protect stability in the Taiwan Strait.
The exchange underscores how Taiwan remains central to U.S.-China ties: Beijing calls it the most important bilateral issue and still claims the self-ruled island can be taken by force.
As China's 2027 military goal nears, should the US abandon ambiguity and explicitly vow to defend Taiwan?
Is Taiwan's 'Silicon Shield' a true deterrent, or a fragile bargaining chip in a high-stakes geopolitical game?
Could a Chinese 'quarantine' of Taiwan trigger a global economic crisis worse than any war?
U.S. Arms Sales to Taiwan in 2026: Trump’s Warning, Regional Fallout, and the Escalating Risk of Conflict with China
Overview
On May 15, 2026, President Donald Trump’s statements about U.S. arms sales to Taiwan sparked immediate tension between the United States, China, and Taiwan. While Trump highlighted 'fantastic' trade deals during his state visit and invited Chinese President Xi Jinping to Washington, his decision to discuss arms sales with Xi marked a major shift from past U.S. policy. This move signaled a new approach in U.S.-China relations, raising concerns in Taiwan about its security and prompting a strong response from its government. The event underscored the fragile balance and ongoing strategic rivalry in the region.