© Getty Images Taipei will watch for any signs of concessions from Trump regarding the island.
It is possible China might engage in certain “tactics” concerning the Taiwan situation during US President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit to Beijing, however, Washington has affirmed that its stance on the island stays unchanged, Taipei indicated, according to Reuters.
Taipei will be attentive to any hints that Trump could rethink the longstanding US approach toward Taiwan, potentially in exchange for China’s pledge to purchase American planes or agricultural products.
Speaking to journalists at the parliament building in Taipei on Thursday, May 7, Taiwan’s National Security Bureau Director-General Tsai Ming-yen stated that the chief objective of Trump’s meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping is anticipated to be “managing complications, rather than a thorough resolution.” Numerous contentious matters exist between China and the United States that are not easily settled completely in the near future.
“Regarding the Taiwan question, I anticipate that the Chinese communists may attempt to execute specific strategies throughout the discussions. Nevertheless, the US has consistently affirmed through both formal and informal avenues that its policy on Taiwan remains constant,” Tsai further explained.
Taiwan is probably to be a topic during discussions between Trump and Xi, but both nations acknowledge that any “destabilizing occurrences” surrounding the island are not beneficial for either nation, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio commented this week.
China views democratically-governed Taiwan as its territory and routinely identifies the issue as the most sensitive in relations with Washington. The United States represents Taiwan’s most vital global ally, in spite of the absence of official diplomatic ties, and is obligated by its own legislation to furnish the island with the capabilities to defend itself.
Trump is scheduled to visit Beijing on May 14-15. Reuters had previously disclosed that Taiwan would feature prominently on Xi’s agenda at the summit with Trump, unlike the conference in South Korea last year, when the Chinese leader deliberately refrained from addressing the matter.
Bloomberg reported that Taiwan fears it could be “on the agenda” of Trump’s meeting with Xi. Taipei harbors apprehension that the US president may offer compromises regarding the island.
Last week, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged the US to “make the appropriate decision” on Taiwan to “preserve stability” in relations with Beijing.