Trump to Speak with Taiwan President, Angering China
SkimNews Take
The call, while seemingly a direct engagement, functions as a symbolic challenge to China's "One China" principle, potentially forcing Beijing to reaffirm its territorial claims through a visible demonstration of force.
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- Trump announced on May 20 he will speak with Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, marking the second such statement within a week after his May 14 meeting with Chinese President Xi.
- Taiwan said it would be happy for a Trump‑Lai conversation but has not set a date, with both Washington and Taipei keeping details private.
- China's foreign ministry warned on May 21 that the United States must handle Taiwan with extreme caution and avoid sending “wrong signals” to separatist forces.
- China has launched war games around Taiwan in response to high‑level U.S. engagements, including after Nancy Pelosi’s 2022 visit and a December 2023 $11 billion arms sale to Taiwan.
- Lai has repeatedly offered talks with Beijing, but China labels him a separatist and has rebuffed his overtures.
Why it matters: The $11 billion U.S. arms deal with Taiwan underscores Washington’s support, and a Trump‑Lai call is likely to spur Chinese war games, threatening semiconductor supply chains and hurting tech‑sector investors.
