Taiwan President Lai Ching-te says Taiwan will not be “sacrificed,” as U.S. President Donald Trump weighs a proposed arms sale to Taipei and describes it as leverage in dealings with China. Both outlets report that the comments come shortly after Trump referenced a roughly $14 billion package and suggested it could be used as a bargaining chip. In response, Lai asserts that Taiwan’s democracy cannot be treated as negotiable. Lai also rejects characterizations that Taiwan seeks independence, reiterating his position that Taiwan is already a sovereign democratic state. The statements underscore a dispute over messaging and intentions amid heightened scrutiny of U.S. security support for Taiwan and China’s objections to arms sales and Taiwan’s political status. While the reports focus on Lai’s response to Trump’s remarks, they also reflect broader concerns about how U.S. arms decisions are framed in relation to Beijing and Taiwan’s internal political debate over sovereignty.