Taipei: U.S. President Donald Trump's recent comments that he was "not looking" for Taiwan to declare independence do not signify a shift in Washington's enduring policy toward Taiwan, according to Peter Mattis, president of The Jamestown Foundation. Mattis clarified this view during a press event in Taipei organized by lawmakers from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party.
According to Focus Taiwan, Mattis emphasized that Trump's statements, made near the conclusion of his May 14-15 state visit to China, reiterated that U.S. policy toward Taiwan remains unchanged. During a Fox News interview aired on May 15, Trump stated multiple times that "U.S. policy has not changed," while discussing Taiwan's status. Trump confirmed, "nothing's changed" regarding U.S. policy, although he added that he was "not looking to have somebody go independent."
Mattis explained that Trump's remarks "didn't really change anything" about the United States' stance on Taiwan's independence or how it determines its future. He stated that U.S. policy consistently supports the idea that both sides of the Taiwan Strait have a role in shaping their future, which should be peaceful and free from coercion.
Mattis also pointed out that Trump had not referred to Taiwan as "a bargaining chip" or indicated that Washington was willing to negotiate with Beijing over Taiwan. He noted that Trump is "incredibly sensitive" to the impression that he is leading a weakening United States.
In the same Fox News interview, Trump mentioned a pending US$14 billion arms package for Taiwan, describing it as "a very good negotiating chip for us ... It's a lot of weapons." This, along with his comment that the arms sale "depends on China," sparked speculation about a potential delay in the arms sale.
Regarding a possible arms sale pause, U.S. Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao stated at a Senate hearing on May 21 that Washington was "doing a pause" on some foreign military sales to Taiwan to ensure adequate munitions for Epic Fury, a U.S. military operation in Iran. Mattis dismissed the notion that any pause could be linked to U.S. operations in Iran.
Mattis highlighted that FMS decisions or notifications would not be connected to operational inventories or activities related to Iran. He suggested that such comments might result from someone "misspeaking" or lacking understanding of the technicalities of U.S. arms sales, including delivery schedules.
Taiwan's Presidential Office announced following Cao's statement that Taipei had not received any formal notification from Washington regarding adjustments to U.S. arms sales to Taiwan.