Taiwan's President Lai Open to Talks with Donald Trump

The Potential Breakthrough in US-Taiwan Relations

Taiwan'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 diplomatic protocol and risk angering China.

The Diplomatic Implications

US and Taiwanese presidents have not spoken directly since Washington shifted diplomatic recognition to Beijing from Taipei in 1979. China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control.

The US Arms Package Sale

Trump reiterated he would speak to Lai, dispelling initial speculation that his mention of Lai after his Beijing summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping was a verbal slip. The US is bound by the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself, despite a lack of formal diplomatic ties.

The Future of US-Taiwan-China Relations

Lai's government has been on the offensive of late, insisting that US policy on Taiwan has not changed and that Trump made no commitments to China on arms sales to the island. Taiwan relies heavily on US support to deter any potential Chinese attack.

The Precedent Set by Trump

In 2016, shortly after his first election victory, president-elect Trump accepted a phone call from then-Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, angering Beijing, shocking diplomats, world leaders and China experts.