U.S. President Donald Trump says he will speak with Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, a move described by multiple outlets as unprecedented for a sitting U.S. president and one that could further strain U.S.-China relations. Trump made the comments Wednesday while speaking to reporters, saying he would “speak to everybody” and adding that the U.S. and Taiwan issues are part of what he would “work on,” referring to “the Taiwan problem.” Several reports note that U.S. and Taiwanese presidents have not spoken directly since Washington switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979, and China has long objected to U.S. military support for Taiwan while not renouncing the use of force.
Taiwan’s President Lai says he would be “happy” to talk with Trump, and Taiwan officials indicate they are open to the conversation. At the same time, U.S. and Taiwan sources cited by some outlets say no concrete call details are yet confirmed, and the White House did not immediately provide specifics on timing or agenda. Reports also link the discussion to the White House’s review of potential arms sales to Taiwan.
