Taiwan Confident in Strong U.S. Relations Ahead of Trump-Xi China Summit

Taiwan Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung said Monday that Taipei remains confident in the stable growth of Taiwan-U.S. relations as U.S. President Donald Trump prepares for a high-profile visit to China this week. Trump is scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing from Wednesday to Friday, with tensions surrounding Taiwan expected to be a major topic during the summit.

China continues to claim Taiwan as part of its territory and has never ruled out using military force to take control of the island. Taiwan, however, maintains its democratic government and continues to strengthen ties with Washington amid rising geopolitical tensions in the Taiwan Strait.

Speaking at Taiwan’s parliament in Taipei, Lin said the government has maintained close communication with the United States through both official and private channels. He emphasized that the U.S. government has repeatedly assured Taiwan that its long-standing Taiwan policy remains unchanged.

The United States remains legally obligated to support Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities under U.S. law. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently stressed the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, reinforcing Washington’s strategic commitment to the region.

Lin also addressed concerns surrounding Taiwan’s defense spending after the opposition-controlled parliament approved a smaller defense budget than originally proposed by the government. A senior U.S. official reportedly expressed disappointment over the reduced military funding, saying it falls short of what is needed to address growing regional security threats.

Taiwan’s foreign minister urged lawmakers to reconsider the budget decision, stating that peace can only be preserved through strong defense capabilities. He warned that China’s ongoing military expansion and authoritarian ambitions continue to pose serious security risks for Taiwan and the broader Indo-Pacific region.