Trump said he would speak with Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te, a direct contact not seen since the US shifted diplomatic recognition to Beijing in 1979. He said he would work on the “Taiwan problem,” while noting China has not renounced force to take control of the democratically governed island. China has been angered by longstanding US military support for Taiwan to deter Chinese action. Trump indicated he intends to speak to Lai again after previously mentioning it following a meeting with Xi Jinping. A call had not been scheduled, and the White House and China’s embassy did not immediately comment. Trump has approved more weapons sales to Taiwan than any other US president, but he also described future sales as leverage and has not decided on a major sale up to $14 billion.
"I'll speak to him, Trump told reporters at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland before boarding Air Force One when asked about Lai. I speak to everybody We'll work on that, the Taiwan problem. Beijing has never renounced the use of force to take control of the democratically governed island. It has been angered by longstanding US military support for Taiwan to deter Chinese military action."
"Trump's comments was the second time in a week he said he intends to speak to Lai, dispelling initial speculation that his first mention of it after meeting China's leader Xi Jinping last week was a verbal slip. A call between the leaders had not yet been scheduled, according to a person familiar with the matter. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on when such a call might happen or what would be discussed. China's embassy in Washington also did not respond immediately."
"US and Taiwanese presidents have not spoken directly since Washington shifted diplomatic recognition to Beijing from Taipei in 1979. Any direct US-Taiwan conversation would ordinarily anger China, which sees the island as its own territory. However, Trump's language has sent mixed signals to Taipei. While Lai has welcomed the chance to speak to Trump, the US president's reference to the Taiwan problem echoes Beijing's phrasing."
"Trump administration officials have noted that Trump has approved the sale of more weapons to Taiwan than any other US president, but he has also described future weapons sales as a very good negotiating chip. Trump has repeatedly touted his relationship with Xi as amazing. After last week's trip to Beijing, Trump said he has not decided whether to proceed with a major weapons sale worth up to $14bn to Taiwan, adding to uncertainty about US support for the island."
#us-taiwan-relations #us-china-relations #taiwan-weapons-sales #diplomatic-recognition #cross-strait-tensions
Read at www.theguardian.com
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