TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – There have been multiple reaffirmations from the US that its policy and position on Taiwan remain unchanged, the Presidential Office said Saturday.

Presidential Spokesperson Karen Kuo (郭雅慧) was referring to statements made by US President Donald Trump in a media interview following his May 13-15 visit to China. He called on Taiwan and China to “cool down” as he did not want the US to fight a war so far away.

Trump also told the interview he would soon decide on a NT$442 billion (US$14 billion) arms package for Taiwan. Kuo noted in the Presidential Office statement that Taiwan appreciated his longstanding and continuous support, including the supply of advanced equipment. The scale and value of the arms deals repeatedly reached historic highs, according to Kuo.

She emphasized that President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) would continue to promote peace and stability in the region while maintaining the status quo. China was the only destabilizing force in the area, she said.

Chinese threats were the primary reason behind the active collaboration between countries in East Asia’s First Island Chain and the US. Taiwan cannot and will not be an exception, Kuo said.

Taiwan will continue to work with the US to achieve peace through strength. Peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait serve the common interests of Taiwan, the US, and the global democratic community, the presidential statement said.