TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday said that Taiwan need not be concerned about Washington using it as a bargaining chip amid trade talks with China.

While en route to Qatar from Israel, Rubio said, “I don’t think you’re going to see some trade deal where, if what people are worried about is, we’re going to get some trade deal or we’re going to get favorable treatment on trade in exchange for walking away from Taiwan,” per Reuters. He then stressed, ”No one is contemplating that." 

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) on Sunday thanked the US for again affirming its steadfast position on Taiwan. Lin said that since Donald Trump assumed office, the US has consistently voiced its support for Taiwan in various international forums.

This includes the joint statements by the foreign ministers of Japan, the US, and South Korea during the UN General Assembly in September, as well as the G7 foreign ministers' joint statement. Lin said these statements underscored the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and opposed any unilateral attempts to alter the status quo by force.

Lin said his ministry will continue to monitor US-China interactions, while ensuring communication channels between Taiwan and the US remain open.