Central News Agency (CNA Taipei, 17th) — U.S. President Donald Trump recently stated he would soon make a decision on a $140 billion arms sale to Taiwan, calling it a 'good negotiating chip.' Today, influential U.S. Senator Roger Wicker told a CNA reporter that Taiwan is a prosperous democracy, and U.S. arms sales ensure its ability to maintain the status quo. He also reiterated Congress's support for Taiwan. Following his recent visit to China and meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Donald Trump told the media aboard Air Force One that he 'talked a lot about Taiwan' with Xi Jinping and made no commitments on the issue. Trump added that he would soon decide on the arms sale to Taiwan. In a subsequent interview with Fox News, Trump said he views the pending arms sale as a 'good negotiating chip,' and he might or might not approve it. He also stated he does not want to see Taiwan move toward independence but rather maintain the status quo, and that both China and Taiwan should de-escalate the situation, affirming that U.S. policy has not changed. Trump's recent remarks on Taiwan have drawn attention. Senator Roger Wicker, a fellow Republican and Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, stated in a response to reporters today that Trump's core message is simple: the U.S. does not seek war in the Taiwan Strait, and U.S. policy remains unchanged. 'If Xi Jinping tries to change the status quo by force, it will be a disaster for the whole world,' Wicker said. Wicker stated that Taiwan is a prosperous democracy, and 'there is no reason to change that.' U.S. arms sales to Taiwan ensure its ability to maintain this status quo. The current $140 billion arms sale package would surpass the previous record of $110 billion approved by the Trump administration last year. 'Taiwan has not taken provocative actions; it simply wants to buy the best weapons in the world,' he said. He also pointed out that U.S. congressional support for Taiwan is deep, bipartisan, and endu