Trump vows call with Taiwan president

President Donald Trump said on May 20 that he would speak with Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, raising the prospect of the first direct contact between sitting U.S. and Taiwanese leaders since Washington switched recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979. Trump made the comment at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland before boarding Air Force One, saying, “I’ll speak to him. I speak to everybody … We’ll work on that, the Taiwan problem,” according to Reuters. Two days later, Reuters reported that U.S. and Taiwanese officials had not made concrete plans for such talks, citing four people familiar with the matter. ### Why is a Trump-Lai call such a break with past practice? The year 1979 is the key date in this story. Reuters reported that U.S. and Taiwanese presidents have not spoken directly since the United States shifted diplomatic recognition to Beijing from Taipei that year, even as Washington kept unofficial ties with Taiwan and continued arms sales to the island. (usnews.com) Trump’s own phrasing added to the attention. Reuters said this was the second time in a week that Trump had indicated he intended to speak with Lai, which removed early speculation in Washington and Taipei that his first mention had been a slip. ### What did Trump tie the possible call to? (usnews.com) A potential U.S. arms package worth up to $14 billion is at the center of the discussion. Reuters and Bloomberg both reported that Trump raised the prospect of speaking with Lai as his administration weighed whether to proceed with a major weapons sale to Taiwan after his visit to China. (usnews.com) Lai linked any possible conversation to defense needs. The Associated Press reported that Lai said that, if given the chance to speak with Trump, he would say Taiwan hoped to continue U.S. arms purchases that he described as essential for peace. Reuters separately reported that Lai said China was undermining peace through its military buildup and that no country had the right to “annex” Taiwan. (usnews.com) ### What has China said so far? China’s embassy in Washington said the United States should “stop sending any wrong message to ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces,” according to Reuters on May 22. The same Reuters report said Beijing had privately warned Washington that a Trump-Lai call could damage bilateral ties and undo progress made during Trump’s state visit to China. (apnews.com) Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on May 21 that China “firmly opposes” official exchanges between the United States and Taiwan and also opposes U.S. arms sales to the island, according to remarks published by Global Times. Guo urged Washington to handle the Taiwan question “with the utmost prudence.” (usnews.com) ### How has Taiwan responded? Taiwan’s government has publicly welcomed the idea. Reuters reported that Lai said he would be happy to speak with Trump and would use the opportunity to argue that Taiwan is committed to maintaining the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. (globaltimes.cn) Lai’s comments came on May 20, the second anniversary of his taking office, according to Reuters and the Associated Press. In those remarks, he framed Taiwan’s position around deterrence and continued security ties with Washington rather than any announced change in Taiwan’s formal status. (usnews.com) ### So is the call actually happening? Four people familiar with the matter told Reuters on May 22 that no concrete plans had yet been put in place, even though U.S. and Taiwanese officials had been in touch about the prospect. Reuters said Trump’s initial comments had sparked surprise among officials in both Washington and Taipei. (usnews.com) The next concrete step is whether the White House and Taiwan’s presidential office move from informal contact to a scheduled conversation. Reuters said the White House declined comment on May 22, while Taiwan’s presidential office referred reporters to Lai’s earlier remarks. (usnews.com)