U.S. President Donald Trump has stated he intends to speak with Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te, but Taiwan's presidential office has reported that no specific communication has been received yet. This potential call comes ahead of a U.S. decision on arms sales to Taiwan, raising the likelihood of a backlash from China.
According to Taiwanese media outlets, including the China Times and United Daily News, Taiwan's Presidential Office Secretary General Pan Meng-an said on May 22 that they have not been notified of any related calls regarding Trump's comments made the previous day. He added, "If a call occurs, we will disclose the relevant details," while assuring that communication channels between Taiwan and the U.S. remain open.
On May 20, during a press conference at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, Trump responded affirmatively when asked if he planned to speak with President Lai before the arms sales decision, although he did not specify when the call would take place.
President Lai has previously expressed his intention to explain the need for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, as well as the ongoing necessity for military purchases from the U.S., should he have the opportunity to converse with Trump.
If the call between the U.S. and Taiwan leaders takes place, it is expected to have diplomatic repercussions. Since the U.S. established diplomatic relations with China in 1979 and severed ties with Taiwan, no sitting U.S. president has directly communicated with a Taiwanese president. Trump did speak with then-President Tsai Ing-wen in 2016 when he was president-elect.
China has consistently opposed official contacts and arms sales between the U.S. and Taiwan. Trump's mention of a potential call adds a new variable to U.S.-China relations in the context of Taiwan's military sales.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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