Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has previously stated that Taiwan does not need to declare formal independence because it already views itself as a sovereign nation. The U.S. has long supported Taiwan, including being legally bound to provide it with the means for self-defense, but it has frequently had to balance this alliance with maintaining diplomatic relations with China. Trump said he had “made no commitment either way” regarding the self-governing island, which China claims as part of its territory and has not ruled out taking by force. Washington’s established position is that it does not support Taiwanese independence, and continued ties with Beijing are contingent on accepting that there is only one Chinese government. Beijing has been vocal in its criticism of Taiwan’s president, previously describing him as a “troublemaker” and a “destroyer of cross-strait peace.” Many Taiwanese people consider themselves part of a separate nation, although most favor maintaining the status quo, in which Taiwan neither formally declares independence from China nor unifies with it. (BBC)