Taiwan Is No Bargaining Chip: Trump–Xi Meeting Makes No Mention of Taiwan
On October 30, U.S. President Donald Trump met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the APEC summit in South Korea. After the meeting, aboard Air Force One, Trump told reporters that “Taiwan never came up” and confirmed that the issue “was not discussed” during his talks with Xi. The Chinese foreign ministry’s press release likewise made no mention of Taiwan among the topics addressed by the two leaders.
Why It Matters
In the days leading up to the Trump–Xi meeting, speculation arose that the Trump administration might pursue a more favorable trade deal with Beijing by making concessions on U.S. support for Taiwan. On October 26, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio firmly rejected those concerns.
“I don’t think … we’re going to get some trade deal or we’re going to get favorable treatment on trade in exchange for walking away from Taiwan,” Rubio said, adding, “No one is contemplating that.” His remarks underscored the United States’ enduring commitment to Taiwan, as outlined in the Taiwan Relations Act (1979) and the Six Assurances (1982).
Before departing for Asia, President Trump told reporters that he had “a lot of respect for Taiwan.” Speaking again aboard Air Force One on October 29, he said, “I don’t know that we’ll even speak about Taiwan. I’m not sure. He [Xi] may want to ask about it. There’s not that much to ask about,” adding, “Taiwan is Taiwan.”
Support from Congress
Members of the U.S. Congress from both parties also reiterated support for Taiwan ahead of the Trump–Xi meeting.
Rep. John Moolenaar (R-MI), Chair of the House Select Committee on the CCP, wrote on X: “America’s commitment to peace, stability, and Taiwan’s self-determination is bipartisan and unwavering.”
Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Ranking Member of the same committee, urged President Trump to make clear that “Taiwan is off the table in any negotiation with the CCP.”
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, warned in a Wall Street Journal op-ed that Beijing’s 2027 military-readiness goal to invade Taiwan requires a renewed bipartisan China strategy — one that strengthens Indo-Pacific alliances, holds Beijing accountable for global instability, and deepens economic ties with partners to prevent China’s dominance in key technologies and resources.
Taiwan’s Perspective
Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it remains in close contact with Washington regarding the Trump–Xi meeting. Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung expressed confidence in U.S.–Taiwan relations, emphasizing that bilateral cooperation spans security, trade, technology, and culture.
President Lai Ching-te reiterated Taiwan’s determination to defend its sovereignty, stressing that the nation must firmly oppose annexation and invasion. He added that strengthening national defense is not a provocation but a means to “maintain the status quo and protect Taiwan’s democracy and way of life.”
Sources:
[1] Taipei Times
[2] Focus Taiwan
[3] The Guardian
[4] Select Committee on China (on X)
[5] Select Committee on the CCP – Democrats
[6] Wall Street Journal
[7] Focus Taiwan
Absence of Taiwan from Trump–Xi Talks Seen as “Good News” for Taiwan
During the October 30 meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea, Taiwan was never discussed. Analysts widely viewed the omission as a positive signal for Taiwan.
Omission Favors Taiwan
Dennis Wilder, former China director at the U.S. National Security Council, called the absence of any mention of Taiwan in the Trump–Xi talks “a very good thing for Taiwan.” He suggested that Washington may have made clear beforehand that the issue was off-limits, or that Beijing deliberately avoided raising it to prevent Trump from later claiming he had rejected Chinese demands.
Wilder also noted that Trump’s Asia tour — which included a visit to a U.S. military base in Yokosuka, Japan, and approval of South Korea’s plan to build nuclear submarines in the United States — reflected his principle of “peace through strength in the Pacific.” “All of this strengthens the alliance structure in East Asia, and that is to Taiwan’s benefit,” Wilder added.
Beijing’s Silence Seen as Shift in Priorities
Kurt Tong, managing partner at The Asia Group, said it was “a bit of a surprise” that China did not raise the Taiwan issue, as it typically does in high-level meetings. He suggested that the meeting’s tight schedule may have left no time for the topic.
Richard Bush, a nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution’s Center for East Asia Policy Studies, and Chang Wu-ueh, an associate professor at Tamkang University’s Center for Cross-Strait Relations, said the omission indicates that Taiwan is not a top priority for China. Bush noted that, after translation, the leaders likely had less than an hour for substantive discussion, while Chang observed that trade and technology issues currently outweigh Taiwan in urgency for both sides.
U.S. Keeps Taiwan Out of China Trade Talks
Peter Cowhey, former senior counselor to the U.S. Trade Representative, said that Washington may have deliberately avoided mentioning Taiwan as part of a strategy to decouple the issue from trade negotiations, a move reflecting a more cautious U.S. stance and policy approach.
Trump and Xi are scheduled to meet again in April 2026 in China, with Xi possibly paying a visit to the United States afterward.
