Taiwan said Saturday that it is a “sovereign and independent state,” hours after US President Donald Trump warned against any formal declaration of independence, according to Agence France-Presse.

In a statement, Taiwan’s foreign ministry said the island is “a democratic, sovereign, and independent country” and is “not subordinate to the People’s Republic of China.”

The ministry added that US arms sales to Taiwan fall within Washington’s security commitments and represent “a form of joint deterrence against regional threats.”

The statement came after Trump said he had not yet decided whether to approve additional arms sales to Taiwan amid ongoing tensions between Taipei and Beijing.

China considers Taiwan part of its territory and strongly opposes any moves interpreted as support for the island’s formal independence.