Taiwan’s President Lai says he would be happy to speak with Donald Trump
Taiwan's President Lai expressed willingness to speak with U.S. President Donald Trump, potentially breaking decades of diplomatic protocol. This conversation comes amid discussions of a significant arms package sale to Taiwan, which could heighten tensions with China. Lai emphasized Taiwan's commitment to maintaining stability in the Taiwan Strait and labeled China as a disruptor of peace.
- ▪President Lai stated he would be happy to discuss matters with President Trump.
- ▪The last direct communication between U.S. and Taiwanese presidents occurred in 1979.
- ▪Trump mentioned he would speak to Lai, dismissing speculation about his intentions after a summit with Xi Jinping.
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NewsTaiwan’s President Lai says he would be happy to speak with Donald TrumpUS and Taiwan presidents have not spoken since Washington shifted diplomatic recognition to Beijing from Taipei in 1979.ListenListen (3 mins)SaveClick here to share on social mediashare-nodesSharefacebookxwhatsapp-strokecopylinkgoogleAdd Al Jazeera on GoogleinfoPresident Lai said that Taiwan was 'committed to maintaining the stable status quo in the Taiwan Strait' and would be 'happy to discuss these matters with President Trump' [File: Taiwan Presidential Office via AP]By Al Jazeera Staff, AFP and ReutersPublished On 21 May 202621 May 2026Taiwan’s President William Lai Ching-te has said he would be “happy” to talk to United States President Donald Trump – a conversation that would break more than four decades of…
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