TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The US has clarified that President Trump’s unification remark did not pertain to Taiwan, Presidential Office Spokesperson Karen Kuo (郭雅慧) said on Tuesday.

The US State Department assured that Trump’s comments “were made in the context of US-China trade relations,” Kuo said in a statement. 

While announcing a US-China tariff agreement on Monday, Trump said: "They've agreed to open China, fully open China, and I think it's going to be fantastic for China, I think it's going to be fantastic for us, and I think it's going to be great for unification and peace."

Washington has consistently underscored that maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is in US interests, Kuo said, adding that the US also reiterated its opposition to unilateral changes to the status quo and its commitment to Taiwan.

An American Institute in Taiwan spokesperson said, "US policy on Taiwan remains the same, and the U.S. approach to Taiwan has remained consistent across decades and administrations." "It's clear President Trump was speaking in the context of the U.S.-China trade relationship," they added. 

The US and China agreed to mutually lower tariffs by 115% for at least 90 days.