Washington / Beijing: Donald Trump has said he may speak directly with Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te regarding possible US arms sales, marking a potentially significant shift in long-standing diplomatic practice.
The United States has not held direct official talks with Taiwanese leaders since 1979, when Washington formally recognised Beijing over Taiwan.
Trump stated that he would “speak to everybody” while discussing the Taiwan issue and possible defence cooperation. The remarks came shortly after his recent summit meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing.
In response, China strongly opposed any official exchanges or arms sales involving Taiwan and urged the US to stop sending what it called “wrong signals” to separatist forces.
DPCI International Desk reports that the development could further increase tensions between the United States and China over Taiwan, a region that remains one of the most sensitive geopolitical flashpoints in the world.
