Taiwan Envoy Says Island Seeks Peace After Trump-Xi Talks Focused on 77-Year Dispute
Updated
Updated · CBS New York · May 17
Taiwan Envoy Says Island Seeks Peace After Trump-Xi Talks Focused on 77-Year Dispute
3 articles · Updated · CBS New York · May 17
Alexander Yui said Taiwan wants “peace and stability” and is not “creating all this trouble” after Taiwan became a central issue in Donald Trump’s Beijing summit with Xi Jinping.
Trump said he and Xi “talked a lot about Taiwan,” while Chinese state media reported Xi warned of “clashes and even conflicts” if the issue is not “handled properly.”
Yui said Trump heard only “the Chinese story” in Beijing, though he welcomed Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio publicly reaffirming no change in the longstanding U.S. position on Taiwan.
Trump made no commitment on pending U.S. weapons sales, calling them a negotiating chip and saying both Taiwan and China should “cool it a little bit”; Yui said that signaled support for the status quo.
Calling the standoff a 77-year conflict dating to 1949, Yui said Taiwan is already sovereign, does not seek war, and is strengthening its defenses against Chinese pressure.
When US arms sales are a 'negotiating chip,' does this deter China or actually increase the risk of conflict?
Beyond military threats, is the world ready for the economic shockwave if Taiwan’s microchip dominance is disrupted?
Taiwan on the Brink: Fallout from the 2026 Trump-Xi Summit and the Escalating U.S.-China Confrontation
Overview
The Trump-Xi summit in Beijing in May 2026 created an image of warmth and stability, with President Trump adopting a deferential tone and praising Xi Jinping as his 'friend.' Despite the public display of camaraderie, the private reality was different—Xi remained strictly business, highlighting the ongoing rivalry between the U.S. and China. This contrast underscored that, beneath the surface, deep strategic competition persists. The summit did not resolve key issues, especially regarding Taiwan, which emerged as a central flashpoint. The event revealed that apparent goodwill cannot mask the fundamental tensions shaping U.S.-China relations.