Taiwan fears Trump China visit could unsettle policy on island
Updated
Updated · Los Angeles Times · May 10
Taiwan fears Trump China visit could unsettle policy on island
14 articles · Updated · Los Angeles Times · May 10
Ahead of this week's Beijing trip, US officials privately told Taipei there is no change to Washington's One China policy, while Xi Jinping is expected to raise Taiwan prominently.
Taiwanese officials worry any off-script remark could upset the cross-strait status quo and affect a pending US arms sale worth more than $10bn approved by Taiwan's legislature.
The concern reflects Trump's past shifts on Taiwan and the island's strategic importance, producing over 60% of semiconductors and 90% of the world's most advanced chips.
Could a single impromptu statement on Taiwan trigger an irreversible crisis in the strait?
Can Taiwan’s ‘silicon shield’ still deter invasion as the world de-risks its supply chains?
With U.S. focus diverted by war, can Taiwan's planned 'Hellscape' defense strategy succeed alone?
Taiwan at the Crossroads: U.S.-China Summit 2026 Raises Stakes for Security, Arms Sales, and Global Stability
Overview
As President Donald Trump prepares for his first visit to Beijing in nearly a decade, the summit is stirring deep anxiety in Taiwan. The meeting, delayed due to the Iran war and urgent matters in Washington, is expected to focus on business deals but has also raised fears in Taipei of being used as a bargaining chip in U.S.-China negotiations. Taiwan worries that the Trump administration’s transactional approach could make American support conditional, especially as critical arms sales remain uncertain. This uncertainty highlights Taiwan’s vulnerability as broader U.S.-China relations take center stage at the summit.