Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry addressed media inquiries on Tuesday on concerns about U.S. President Donald Trump’s use of the term “unification.” Citing the U.S. State Department, the ministry said that the long-standing policy of the U.S. on Taiwan has not changed. It also said that the remarks pertained solely to U.S.-China trade relations and did not refer to Taiwan.
Trump’s comments were made during a White House press conference on Monday. He said China had agreed to fully open its market and that this would benefit both countries, bringing about “unification and peace.” Trump’s use of the term “unification” raised concerns in Taiwan, however, as this is often used in the context of China’s annexation of Taiwan.
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hsiao Kuang-wei (蕭光偉) says that the U.S. State Department has clarified Trump’s statements. He adds that Taiwan-related issues were not discussed in recent U.S.-China trade talks.
A U.S. State Department spokesperson also reiterated to the Central News Agency that America’s Taiwan policy remains consistent across administrations, emphasizing peaceful resolution of cross-strait differences and opposing unilateral changes to the status quo.