Donald Trump’s comment that he is “not looking to have somebody go independent” has sparked discussion in Taiwan as to whether the American president’s statement dealt a blow to the ruling party’s pro-independence platform.
Trump made the remark after last week’s summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing, where Taiwan emerged as one of the most sensitive issues in Sino-US relations.
“I’m not looking to have somebody go independent,” Trump said in an interview with Fox News on Friday, while also stating the United States was “9,500 miles” (about 15,300km) away from Taiwan and that he was “not looking” to fight a war.
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His comments came shortly after mainland China warned that the Taiwan issue could become the source of future “clashes and even conflicts” between Washington and Beijing following Thursday’s talks.
Trump also left open whether he would approve a long-delayed US$14 billion American arms package for Taiwan. Although US lawmakers pre-approved the package last year, the White House has yet to move it forward.
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