It’s not just far left Democrats who are upset with the Trump administration, China appears to be weeping as well. The U.S. State Department’s recent update to its Taiwan fact sheet, which removed the phrase “we do not support Taiwan independence,” has drawn sharp criticism from China, according to the New York Post. The move is being defended as a standard procedural revision that aligns with the long-standing U.S. policy on China and Taiwan. The change, described by officials as routine, reaffirms Washington’s commitment to the “One China Policy” while emphasizing peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and opposing unilateral actions by either side.
The State Department clarified that the update was not a policy shift but rather a routine adjustment to better reflect the evolving nature of U.S.-Taiwan relations. A spokesperson reiterated that the United States continues to acknowledge Beijing’s position on Taiwan under the “One China Policy” without taking a definitive stance on Taiwan’s sovereignty.
Still, China demanded that the United States “immediately correct this mistake,” arguing that it is a “serious regression.”
According to The Post, Chinese Foreign Ministry rep Guo Jiakun told reporters, “This move severely violates the one-China principle and three China-US joint communiqués, goes against international law and basic norms of international relations and sends a seriously wrong signal to the separatist forces,” adding, “This is another example of the US clinging to its wrong policy of ‘using Taiwan to contain China.’”
Critics of China’s reaction argue that the removal of specific wording does not equate to endorsing Taiwanese independence. The U.S. has consistently opposed unilateral changes to the status quo, whether by China or Taiwan. By omitting explicit language about independence, the update avoids unnecessary rigidity to maintain peace and stability in the region.
Taiwan celebrated the change with the Taiwanese government reportedly telling the AP, “The U.S. State Department updated the ‘Current State of U.S.-Taiwan Relations’ page … with text that is positive and friendly toward us, reflecting the close and amicable partnership between Taiwan and the United States.”
Despite China’s attempt to order the United States to change the statement, the Trump administration has made it clear that it is not one that will cave into China’s demands. The Trump administration has made it clear that they will be tougher on China than the previous administration, and this minor change to the wording was but a “routine” update that will help preserve “peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.”