Trump Postpones Lai Call as Xi Weighs Sept. 24 U.S. Visit
Updated
Updated · CBS New York · May 29
Trump Postpones Lai Call as Xi Weighs Sept. 24 U.S. Visit
6 articles · Updated · CBS New York · May 29
Trump is no longer expected to speak with Taiwan President Lai Ching-te before Xi Jinping’s potential U.S. trip this fall, backing away from remarks this month that he would call Lai before deciding on a new arms package.
Xi warned Trump during the president’s China visit that Taiwan could become a “very dangerous situation” if mishandled, and Beijing has reiterated opposition to official U.S.-Taiwan exchanges and arms sales.
Taiwan’s de facto embassy said it is still waiting to hear from Washington about any call, while the White House pointed back to Trump’s earlier public comments.
An additional Taiwan weapons sale has been under review since January and still awaits Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s signature; Trump has said he held it in abeyance and treated it as a possible negotiating chip with China.
The shift underscores how Taiwan has become entangled in preparations for a possible Xi visit after Trump invited the Chinese leader for Sept. 24, though Beijing says conditions for the trip still must be created.
Is Taiwan's security becoming a bargaining chip in US-China negotiations?
How does delaying arms sales to Taiwan affect the credibility of US security guarantees worldwide?
Can the global tech supply chain remain secure if Taiwan's defense is negotiable?
Strategic Instability at the Crossroads: Trump’s Taiwan Call, $14 Billion Arms Delay, and Xi’s U.S. Visit Reshape U.S.-China-Taiwan Relations in 2026
Overview
In May 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump publicly considered a direct call with Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te, linking this unprecedented move to decisions on a paused $14 billion arms package for Taiwan. This pause was partly explained by the ongoing war with Iran, but also raised suggestions that Trump was using arms sales as leverage in negotiations with China. These actions come against the backdrop of the United States’ unofficial ties with Taiwan since 1979, highlighting a delicate balance between supporting Taiwan’s defense and managing tense U.S.-China relations at a critical diplomatic crossroads.