Donald Trump cautioned Taiwan against formally declaring independence and described pending US arms sales to the island as a "very good negotiating chip" with Beijing, comments made hours after he wrapped a two-day summit with 
Xi Jinping. Taiwan's Presidential Office responded on Saturday that the island is "a sovereign, independent democratic country," saying Beijing's territorial claims are "without merit," the BBC reported. Trump said he had "made no commitment either way" on the island and would decide "over the next fairly short period" on weapons.
What did Trump say about arms sales? Asked whether he would approve an $11bn package of weapons for Taiwan, Trump said the decision depended on China and that he was holding it "in abeyance," in an account carried by PBS. He told Fox News that US policy on Taiwan "hasn't changed" while adding, "I'm not looking to have somebody go independent," the BBC reported.
How did Taipei respond? Presidential spokesperson Karen Kuo said it was "self-evident" that Taiwan was "a sovereign, independent democratic country," while stressing the island remained committed to maintaining the status quo with China. Taiwan's government separately pressed Washington to advance a second arms package reported to be worth around $14bn, with Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Ming-chi saying Taipei would keep communicating with the US, DW reported. President 
Lai Ching-te has long held that Taiwan need not declare independence because it already views itself as sovereign.
What else drew concern? Trump also called for Taiwan's semiconductor sector — which produces more than 90% of the world's most advanced chips — to relocate manufacturing to the United States, telling Fox News he would like "everybody making chips over in Taiwan come into America," PBS reported.
Figures referenced: Donald Trump, Lai Ching-te, Xi Jinping. — JudgeMarket.
