Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te issued a forceful five-point statement declaring that Taiwan 'will never be sacrificed or traded' amid rising tensions with China. He described China as the root cause of regional instability and reaffirmed that Taiwan would not surrender its sovereignty, democratic system, or way of life under pressure.

Lai’s remarks followed a high-profile summit in Beijing between President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping that raised concerns in Taiwan about a potential invasion. While Trump has not clarified whether the United States would intervene militarily in the event of an attack, his administration previously approved a record arms sales package to Taiwan, with additional sales still under consideration.

Citing the Taiwan Relations Act, Lai emphasized that long-term security cooperation and weapons sales from the United States serve as a critical deterrent against aggression. He thanked Washington for its continued support and pledged that Taiwan would strengthen its self-defense capabilities, maintain the status quo without provocation, and work with democratic partners to preserve peace and stability in the region.