Trump speaking with reporters on his return flight after concluding his visit to China [Reuters = Yonhap News]

There is likely to be controversy over whether the United States is changing its "Taiwan policy," which it has maintained for 44 years, after U.S. President Donald Trump stated on November 15 (local time) that he had discussed U.S. arms sales to Taiwan with Chinese President Xi Jinping "in great detail."

When asked by reporters on his return flight on his private jet, after concluding his three-day visit to China, "President Ronald Reagan promised in 1982 not to consult with China regarding arms sales to Taiwan, but it seems you consulted with President Xi," President Trump responded, "The 1980s are quite a long time ago."

He added, "He (Xi Jinping) certainly talked about it (arms sales)."

President Trump also said, "So what do you want me to do? Say, 'I don't want to talk about it. There's an agreement signed in 1982'? No. We discussed arms sales to Taiwan. In fact, all of the discussions regarding arms sales were conducted 'in great detail'."

He continued, "I will make a decision. But, as you know, the last thing we want right now is a war 9,500 miles away."

The United States announced the "Six Assurances" to Taiwan during the Reagan administration in 1982, and one of the six points states that the U.S. will not engage in prior consultation with China regarding arms sales to Taiwan. This was intended to convey the U.S. policy of not allowing China any room for intervention in its arms sales to Taiwan.

Leading up to the U.S.-China summit, there were expectations that President Xi would ask President Trump to at least postpone arms sales to Taiwan, and how President Trump would respond was a point of interest.

Although U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stated in an interview with NBC News the previous day, immediately after the summit, that "Our policy towards Taiwan has not changed. It's been quite consistent across multiple administrations and it's consistent today," President Trump's remarks on this day are expected to cause controversy within the U.S. political sphere and concern among allies.

In particular, the Trump administration announced plans in December last year to sell $11.1 billion worth of weapons to Taiwan, and is preparing another arms sale package worth at least $14 billion. It is anticipated that these controversies and concerns could further escalate depending on President Trump's future decisions.

In this regard, Professor Michael Cunningham of Columbia University stated in a video discussion evaluating the U.S.-China summit at the Stimson Center, a U.S. think tank, on the same day, "We don't know how that discussion (between Trump and Xi regarding Taiwan arms sales) proceeded. We'll have to watch for announcements in the coming days to see what impact it has on U.S.-China relations or U.S.-Taiwan relations."

Professor Cunningham added, "If President Trump approves the sale in the next few days, it will be a tremendous morale booster for Taiwan. The Trump administration may now have to clarify that the Six Assurances are still in effect."

However, he pointed out, "If the sale is rejected or if the size or items of the sale are significantly changed, it will have serious consequences and will be a really big deal."

Meanwhile, in a Fox News interview released on the same day, President Trump warned Taiwan not to pursue official independence from China.

In the interview, President Trump said, "We don't want war. I think China will be okay with the status quo. But we will not stand by and watch someone say, 'America supports us, so let's declare independence'."

He also told reporters on his private jet on the same day, "President Xi does not want Taiwan to move towards independence. He is very tough on Taiwan. I have made no promises."