Taiwan: Trump prods China with offer of direct Taipei talks

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday reiterated his intention to hold direct talks with Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te over a reported $14 billion (€12 billion) arms deal — the first direct talks between the presidents of both countries in over four decades.

"I'll speak to him. I speak to everybody," said Trump when asked about the situation.

Taiwan's Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that Lai would be "happy to discuss these matters with President Trump."

It added that Lai is "committed to maintaining the stable status quo in the Taiwan Strait."

Trump's statement was the second such made since his state visit to China last week.

The US leader previously said he had "a great meeting" with Chinese President Xi Jinping, adding, "We'll work on that… the Taiwan problem."

China voices opposition to direct US-Taiwan communications

The US officially shifted Taiwanese diplomatic recognition from Taipei (the Republic of China, or ROC) to Beijing (the People's Republic of China, or PRC) in 1979 as part of its "One China" policy of strategic ambiguity and has not engaged in public presidential communications with Taiwanese leaders since that time.

That same year, the US also established the Taiwan Relations Act, committing itself by law to providing Taiwan with the means to defend itself against regional threats.

Although the US has continued to engage in backchannel talks with Taiwan, public displays of support from Washington are frowned upon by Beijing, which considers the self-governing democracy part of its territory and has threatened to take the island republic by force if necessary.

Conflicts remain after Trump-Xi summit ends

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During Trump's recent state visit, China's Xi made clear that the handling of the Taiwan issue would be key to maintaining stability in US-China relations, warning that missteps could lead to an "extremely dangerous situation."

Trump has suggested US arms sales could be used as a bargaining chip with Beijing on the issue.

On Thursday, China voiced opposition to direct talks between Trump and Lai.

A spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry urged Trump to "handle the Taiwan issue with extreme caution and stop sending wrong signals to the separatist forces of Taiwan independence."

Taiwan is heavily reliant on US arms to deter China and is eager to double down on the $11 billion deal approved by the Trump administration in December.

Edited by: Zac Crellin