Sources say U.S.-Taiwan have contacted on potential Trump-Lai call but no concrete plans yet. What does Rubio say?
According to four informed sources cited by Reuters, despite U.S. President Trump stating he might soon speak with Taiwan's leader Lai Qingde over arms sales to Taiwan, no specific plan has been established for a direct conversation between the two leaders.
A call between Trump and Lai would be historic, as no direct dialogue has occurred between U.S. and Taiwan presidents since Washington shifted diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979.
Trump reiterated on Wednesday that he would speak with Lai Qingde, dismissing speculation earlier in the week that his mention of such a call after visiting China was an accidental slip. Two sources said Trump’s initial remarks about speaking with Lai surprised officials in both Washington and Taipei.
One source said that in the following days, U.S. and Taiwanese officials discussed the possibility of a call, but all four sources confirmed that no specific plans have been made so far. The White House declined to comment.
The spokesperson for China’s Embassy in the United States stated that the U.S. must honor its commitments, exercise caution on the Taiwan issue, and warned that the U.S. should "cease sending any wrong signals to separatist forces seeking 'Taiwan independence.'" The spokesperson added, "China opposes official exchanges between the U.S. and Taiwan and firmly opposes U.S. arms sales to Taiwan—this position is consistent, clear, and resolute."
Two sources revealed that Beijing has privately warned Washington that such a call could damage Sino-U.S. relations and jeopardize progress made during Trump’s upcoming state visit to China this month.
After concluding his visit to China, Trump said he had not yet decided whether to proceed with the reported $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan, heightening uncertainty about Washington’s support for Taiwan.
On May 15, Trump told reporters he would talk with “the people currently governing Taiwan” before deciding whether to approve further arms sales. On the 20th, he reiterated that he would communicate with Lai Qingde, saying, “I talk to everyone; we fully control the situation.” Trump added, “We will handle the Taiwan issue.”
If Trump decides to halt arms sales to Taiwan, it would mark a major shift in Washington’s policy. According to two sources, U.S. officials have privately reassured Taiwan that no change in policy is expected.
Under the Taiwan Relations Act, the U.S. is obligated to provide Taiwan with “sufficient defense articles and services” to maintain its adequate self-defense capability. Both Republican and Democratic members of Congress have urged the Trump administration to continue selling weapons to Taiwan.
On Friday, at the NATO foreign ministers’ meeting in Helsingborg, Sweden, U.S. Secretary of State Rubio, when asked whether he would attend a potential Trump-Lai call and whether preparations were underway, replied, “Today, I have no information to share with you on this matter.”
Source: rfi
Original: toutiao.com/article/1865973701232907/
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