U.S. Policy Toward Taiwan Unlikely to Shift as Trump-Xi Talks Focus on Trade Tensions
The latest phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, which took place on June 5, focused largely on easing bilateral trade tensions and is unlikely to lead to a major shift in U.S. Policy toward Taiwan, analysts said.
Richard Bush, former chairman of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) and now a nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, said the Trump-Xi call was primarily aimed at preventing further deterioration in U.S.-China trade relations following the breakdown of the so-called “Geneva Understanding.”
He said Xi routinely brought up the Taiwan issue in discussions with U.S. presidents, but the topic was likely brief during the latest call, given that the two leaders had a host of pressing trade issues to address.
Washington and Beijing reached a temporary deal during talks in Geneva, Switzerland, in May, which led to a 90-day truce on sweeping tariffs they had previously imposed on each other. However, tensions quickly resurfaced, with China accusing the U.S. of violating the truce by banning semiconductor sales to the Chinese tech giant Huawei, while Washington protested Beijing’s export controls on rare earth minerals and magnets.
Ryan Hass, also a Brookings analyst, said he “do[es] not expect that the presidential phone call will result in any major shifts in American policy toward Taiwan.” He pointed to the Chinese readout of the call and noted that Trump’s response to Xi’s concerns over Taiwan “signaled continuity in longstanding American policy.”
According to China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Xi urged the U.S. to “handle the Taiwan question with prudence” and prevent what it described as “Taiwan independence forces” from leading both countries into confrontation. The Chinese readout claimed that President Trump reaffirmed his respect for Xi and indicated that the U.S. would continue to honor the “one-China policy.”
In Taipei, Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs pushed back against Beijing’s account of the call, accusing China of deliberately distorting Taiwan’s international status. The ministry reiterated Taiwan’s commitment to working with like-minded allies to promote peace and stability in the region.
Taiwan’s Presidential Office stated that Taiwan supports U.S.-China dialogue and welcomes efforts that promote regional stability, adding that Taiwan will continue to maintain close coordination with Washington.
Sources:
[1] Focus Taiwan
[2] Taipei Times
Hegseth Warns a Chinese Invasion of Taiwan Would Have “Devastating” Global Consequences
On May 31, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth urged Indo-Pacific nations to strengthen coordination to deter Chinese military aggression and ensure regional stability, warning that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan would carry grave consequences for global security.
“Every day you see it. China’s military harasses Taiwan. These activities have been paired with China’s rapid military modernization and buildup – including huge investments in nuclear weapons, hypersonics, and amphibious assault capabilities,” Hegseth said at the Shangri-La Dialogue security forum in Singapore.
“Any attempt by Communist China to conquer Taiwan by force would result in devastating consequences for the Indo-Pacific and the world,” Hegseth said, adding, “There’s no reason to sugarcoat it. The threat China poses is real, and it could be imminent.”
Hegseth reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific, which he described as the United States’ “priority theater.” He also called for greater cooperation with Japan, the Philippines, and other regional partners to maintain peace and enhance deterrence.
While noting that the United States does not seek conflict with China, Hegseth stated, “We will not let our allies and partners be subordinated and intimidated.” He also reiterated U.S. President Donald Trump’s vow that “Communist China will not invade Taiwan on his watch.”
He said that the United States is “reorienting toward deterring aggression by Communist China” by prioritizing forward-postured, combat-credible forces along the first and second island chains, supporting allies and partners to increase interoperability, and revitalizing the U.S. defense industrial base.
In return, Hegseth urged regional countries to increase defense spending to levels similar to the 5 percent of GDP that NATO nations are pressed to contribute. He noted that, as Washington pivots to the Indo-Pacific, it expects its Asian and Pacific partners to “upgrade” their defenses and act as “force multipliers” for peace alongside the United States.
“Ultimately, a strong, resolute, and capable network of allies and partners is our key strategic advantage,” he said. “China envies what we have together, and it sees what we can collectively bring to bear on defense.”
Sources:
[1] U.S. Department of Defense
[2] Taipei Times
Presidents of the Marshall Islands and Guatemala Visit Taiwan to Strengthen Diplomatic Ties and Expand Bilateral Cooperation
This week, Taiwan welcomed high-level delegations from two of its diplomatic allies — the Marshall Islands and Guatemala. During separate state visits, Marshallese President Hilda Heine and Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo met with President Lai Ching-te in Taipei to reaffirm their countries’ enduring ties with Taiwan and to expand cooperation into new sectors.
On June 3, President Lai held talks with President Heine, who arrived in Taiwan for a six-day visit. The two leaders pledged to broaden cooperation into new areas, including education, sports, and aviation.
Describing Taiwan and the Marshall Islands as “truly a family,” President Lai praised their decades of collaboration in a wide range of fields, including healthcare, education, women’s empowerment, and climate action.
Following the signing of a memorandum of understanding and a letter of intent, President Lai said, “Taiwan will take concrete action to work with the Marshall Islands and . . . [write] a new chapter in our diplomatic partnership.”
President Heine called the bilateral relationship “special” and “enduring,” and reaffirmed the Marshall Islands’ support for Taiwan’s participation in the international community. She also expressed appreciation for Taiwan’s contributions to the Marshall Islands’ national development.
She said it was her seventh official visit to Taiwan, underscoring her strong commitment to further deepening ties between the two nations.
Two days later, on June 5, Taiwan signed two key agreements with Guatemala to further deepen bilateral cooperation — one focusing on semiconductor development and another establishing a formal mechanism for political consultations.
Witnessed by Presidents Lai and Arévalo at the Presidential Office, the letter of intent on semiconductors commits Taiwan to supporting Guatemala’s efforts to develop its semiconductor industry. The political consultation mechanism will facilitate regular dialogue on bilateral and global issues, enhancing strategic coordination.
President Lai emphasized recent progress in bilateral cooperation in public health, agriculture, and women’s empowerment, and encouraged Taiwanese businesses to invest in Guatemala, highlighting the country’s strategic location, abundant natural resources, and skilled workforce.
In his remarks, President Arévalo — currently on a five-day visit to Taiwan — said his meeting with President Lai reflected the two governments’ shared commitment to advancing the bilateral relationship to a deeper and more strategic level.