TAIPEI, May 21 - Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that President Lai Ching-te would be happy to speak with U.S. President Donald Trump, an exchange that would mark an unprecedented direct conversation between the leaders since the United States moved diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979.
The ministry repeated comments Lai made earlier on Wednesday, saying that if he were afforded the opportunity to speak with Trump he would make two points: that China is undermining peace, and that his administration will continue to preserve the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. The ministry added, without further detail, that "In addition to being committed to maintaining the stable status quo in the Taiwan Strait, President Lai is also happy to discuss these matters with President Trump."
Trump stated on Wednesday that he would speak to Lai, but he did not provide additional information about timing, format, or content of any potential conversation.
The United States and Taiwan have not had direct presidential-level conversations since Washington shifted official diplomatic recognition to Beijing in 1979. The article notes a notable exception in late 2016, when then President-elect Trump spoke by telephone with then-Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, a move that broke long-established diplomatic practice.
Beijing regards Taiwan as part of its territory and has not renounced the use of force as an option to bring the island under its control. The Foreign Ministry statement reiterated Lai's position on keeping the cross-strait relationship stable while calling out what he views as Chinese efforts that undermine peace.
The statement also sits against a backdrop of persistent U.S. military support for Taiwan - described in the article as longstanding - including arms sales that Beijing views with disapproval. Taiwan’s government maintains its rejection of Beijing’s sovereignty claims.
Context and clarity
Details about any prospective conversation between the two presidents - including when it might occur and what format it would take - remain unspecified. The Foreign Ministry did not elaborate beyond the statements cited above.