By Ben Blanchard TAIPEI, May 17 (Reuters) - Taiwan will not be sacrificed or traded and will not give up its free way of life under pressure, President Lai Ching-te wrote on Facebook on Sunday, adding that U.

The following is the transcript of the interview with Ambassador Alexander Yui, Taiwan's representative to the U.S., that aired on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" on May 17, 2026.

After President Trump hinted that weapons sales to Taiwan could figure in negotiations with China, officials emphasized their island’s strategic importance.

U.S. President Donald Trump had said arms sales to Taiwan would be on the agenda for his talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping which ended Friday.

Taiwan's representative to the U.S. Alexander Yui said on Sunday that "we want peace and stability" as Taiwan became among the most closely-watched issues in last week's summit.

President Trump warns Taiwan not to expect unconditional U.S. military support, saying he does not want to travel 9,500 miles to fight a war with China.

TAIPEI, May 17 (Reuters) - The expression "Taiwan independence" means the island neither belongs to nor is subordinate to Beijing and that only the Taiwanese people can decide their future, President Lai Ching-te said on Sunday.

US President Donald Trump's warning against "Taiwan independence" has sent shockwaves through Taiwan's media and political circles. While pro-Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) outlets have largely attempted to downplay the remarks,

Taiwan’s president says the island will not be pressured into giving up its democracy and sovereignty, days after the self-governing territory was one of the main points of discussion between China and the US.