Would be happy to talk to U.S. President Donald Trump: Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te
Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te expressed willingness to speak with U.S. President Donald Trump, a move that could disrupt over forty years of diplomatic protocol. This potential conversation comes as the U.S. considers arms sales to Taiwan amidst rising tensions with China. Lai emphasized Taiwan's commitment to maintaining stability in the Taiwan Strait, while Trump indicated he would address the Taiwan issue during discussions with both Lai and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
- ▪President Lai Ching-te is open to talking with U.S. President Donald Trump.
- ▪This would mark the first direct communication between serving leaders of Taiwan and the U.S. since 1979.
- ▪Taiwan's government insists that U.S. policy on Taiwan remains unchanged despite concerns over arms sales to the island.
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Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te said on Thursday (May 21, 2026) that he would be "happy" to talk to U.S. leader Donald Trump, a conversation that would break more than four decades of diplomatic protocol and risk angering China.Mr. Trump told reporters on Wednesday (May 20, 2026) that he would speak to Mr. Lai, as the White House weighs arms sales to the democratic island. It was the second time since a summit in Beijing last week that Mr. Trump has said he would call the Taiwanese leader. Such communication would be the first time since Washington switched diplomatic relations from Taipei to Beijing in 1979 that serving Presidents of Taiwan and the United States would speak to each other.Taiwan would ‘welcome’ its President speaking to Trump, Taiwanese Minister saysMr.
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