US President Donald Trump said he plans to speak with Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te regarding a possible arms sale to the island, signalling a potential break from decades of diplomatic protocol that has governed relations among Washington, Taipei and Beijing since 1979.
Trump’s remarks came as the White House considered a reported $14bn arms package for Taiwan, including anti-drone equipment and air-defence missile systems.
US and Taiwanese presidents have not spoken directly since Washington severed formal diplomatic ties with Taipei and formally recognised the government in Beijing more than four decades ago.
Trump told reporters that he intended to discuss “the Taiwan problem” with Lai while also praising his relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping following a summit in Beijing last week.
China responded by reiterating its opposition to official exchanges between the United States and Taiwan, as well as to US arms sales to the island.
A spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry urged Washington to “stop sending wrong signals to the separatist forces in Taiwan”.
Beijing considers Taiwan part of its territory and has not ruled out using force to bring the island under its control.
During Trump’s recent visit to Beijing, Xi reportedly warned that mishandling the Taiwan issue could lead to “conflict” between the two powers.
Trump later said Xi felt “very strongly” about Taiwan, though he added that he had made “no commitment either way”.
Taiwan’s government welcomed the possibility of direct talks between the two leaders.
Taiwan’s foreign ministry said Lai would be “happy” to discuss maintaining “the stable status quo in the Taiwan Strait” with Trump.
Lai has repeatedly described Taiwan as a “sovereign, independent democratic country” and said peace in the Taiwan Strait would not be “sacrificed or traded away”.
Taiwan’s Defence Minister Wellington Koo said Taipei remained “cautiously optimistic” about future US arms purchases, adding that US policy toward Taiwan had not changed.
The proposed weapons package remains under review, with Trump saying he would make a decision “over the next fairly short period”.
The US continues to provide Taiwan with defensive weapons under the Taiwan Relations Act despite lacking formal diplomatic ties with Taipei.