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Taiwan is closely monitoring next week’s meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, amid concerns that China could attempt diplomatic “manoeuvring” over the Taiwan issue. Taiwanese officials, however, say Washington has repeatedly reassured Taipei that longstanding U.S. policy toward Taiwan remains unchanged.
China considers Taiwan part of its territory and has consistently described the self-governed island as the most sensitive issue in U.S.-China relations. Taiwan’s government strongly rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims and continues to rely on strong international partnerships, particularly with the United States.
Speaking at Taiwan’s parliament on Thursday, National Security Bureau Director-General Tsai Ming-yen said Beijing may try to raise pressure on Taiwan during talks between Trump and Xi. Despite these concerns, Tsai emphasized that the United States has reaffirmed both publicly and privately that its Taiwan policy has not shifted.
Taipei remains cautious about Trump’s approach to international alliances, especially given his history of transactional diplomacy. Taiwanese officials are watching for any indication that the U.S. could soften its stance on Taiwan in exchange for economic concessions from China, such as increased purchases of American agricultural products or aircraft.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently stated that Taiwan is expected to be discussed during the summit. However, both Washington and Beijing understand that neither side benefits from instability in the Taiwan Strait.
Tsai described current U.S.-China relations as a “fragile stability,” noting that many disputes between the two global powers are unlikely to be resolved quickly. Issues involving trade, security, and geopolitical influence continue to strain ties between Washington and Beijing.
The United States remains Taiwan’s most important international supporter and is legally obligated to provide the island with defensive support, despite the absence of formal diplomatic relations.
