Trump to speak with Taiwan president

Donald Trump said on May 20 that he would speak with Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, opening the door to direct contact between a sitting U.S. president and Taiwan’s leader for the first time since Washington switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979. Trump made the comment to reporters in Washington after returning from a trip to China that he had described as “amazing.” Reuters reported that the planned contact comes as the administration weighs a $14 billion weapons package for Taiwan and as Beijing presses Washington over the sale. Lai responded on May 21 by saying he would be “happy” to talk with Trump. In Taipei a day earlier, Lai said Taiwan wanted to continue buying U.S. weapons and called those purchases essential to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. NBC reported that Lai also said Taiwan’s future could not be decided by “external forces,” while NHK said he signaled readiness for further weapons talks with Washington. (usnews.com) ### What exactly did Trump say about Lai? Trump told reporters, “I’ll speak to him,” when asked whether he would talk with Lai, according to Reuters. He added, “I speak to everybody,” and said, “We’ll work on that, the Taiwan problem,” according to reporting that reproduced the exchange. A White House National Security Council spokesperson declined to provide details on any expected call, Reuters said. (aljazeera.com) Washington has no formal diplomatic ties with Taipei, but it is Taiwan’s most important international backer and main arms supplier. Reuters said U.S. and Taiwanese presidents have not spoken directly since the United States recognized Beijing instead of Taipei in 1979. ### Why is the arms package now central to the story? (usnews.com) A proposed $14 billion U.S. weapons package for Taiwan has become the immediate point of friction between Washington and Beijing. Reuters reported that China is holding up a proposed Beijing visit by Pentagon Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby as it pressures Trump over whether to proceed with the package. The package includes Patriot missiles and Nasams systems, according to reports citing people familiar with the discussions. (usnews.com) Elbridge Colby had discussed a possible summer trip to Beijing with Chinese officials, Reuters reported. Beijing has not approved the visit, according to that report, which cited the Financial Times. ### What did Lai say in Taipei? Lai spoke on May 20 at a news conference marking the second anniversary of his inauguration. (usnews.com) He said Taiwan hoped U.S. weapons sales would continue because they support the defense capabilities needed to maintain peace and stability across the strait, according to reports from NHK, NBC and Taiwan’s Central News Agency. At the same appearance, Lai said Taiwan was committed to maintaining the status quo in the Taiwan Strait and was willing to engage in exchanges with China under principles of equality and dignity, according to published reports. He also criticized China’s military buildup and exercises, NHK reported. (geopoliticspulse.com) ### How has Beijing reacted so far? China claims democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory and opposes official contact between Taipei and foreign governments. Reuters reported that Beijing’s decision to hold up Colby’s visit is one of the clearest signs yet that it is linking military dialogue with the Taiwan arms decision. (geopoliticspulse.com) The immediate Chinese response to any Trump-Lai call was not yet public in the reports reviewed on May 21. But Reuters and other outlets said the prospect of direct leader-to-leader contact was likely to add strain to already fragile U.S.-China ties. ### What happens next? Any call between Trump and Lai would be the next concrete milestone in the dispute. (usnews.com) Reuters said the White House had not given a timetable, while Lai said on May 21 that he would be happy to speak with Trump if the opportunity arose. Beijing’s decision on whether to approve Colby’s proposed visit, and Trump’s decision on the $14 billion arms package, are the other near-term steps to watch. (usnews.com)