Taiwan Issue Tops Agenda for Upcoming Trump-Xi Summit in Beijing

U.S. President Donald Trump will travel to Beijing next month for a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, where Taiwan will be a key agenda item, according to reports. This marks a change from their meeting in South Korea last year, where the Taiwan issue was not prioritized.

The United States adheres to a 'one China policy,' acknowledging but not accepting China's claim over Taiwan, and states it does not support Taiwan's independence while assisting with its self-defense. Trump administration officials have stated there has been no change in U.S. policy on Taiwan and have condemned China's pressure on the island.

They noted that Trump has approved more weapons sales to Taiwan in over a year of his second term than his predecessor did during an entire presidency. At a 2024 summit with the former U.S. president, Xi Jinping requested a change in U.S. language on Taiwan to 'we oppose Taiwan independence,' but the U.S. declined.

People involved in preparations for the upcoming summit reported that China has sent similar signals at a working level.

Taiwan rejects Beijing's sovereignty claims.

Officials in Taiwan are monitoring the summit for any changes in U.S. positions on Taiwan Strait issues. A deputy minister at Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council stated that Taiwan will intensify policy communications with the U.S. ahead of the meeting. Taiwan Foreign Ministry spokesperson said the Trump administration has reaffirmed its support for Taiwan since taking office.

“We will be watching whether the U.S. makes any changes to its position on Taiwan Strait issues as a result of that meeting," said a deputy minister at Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council.”

China has not renounced the use of force to control Taiwan and conducted war games around the island in late December following a U.S. announcement of an $11 billion arms sales package to Taiwan. The U.S. criticized these actions. Lai states that Taiwan is an independent country called the Republic of China.

Beijing regards him as a separatist. The top U.S. diplomat in Taiwan has stated that U.S. commitments, including under the Taiwan Relations Act mandating arms sales, remain firm. Former Trump adviser Robert O'Brien said Trump would not be the first American president to lose Taiwan.

Taiwan's strategic location includes radar stations and listening posts used for intelligence on China, according to security sources. Wu Xinbo, dean of Fudan University's Institute of International Studies and a member of China's foreign ministry policy advisory board, said that to avoid conflict, the U.S. should not support Taiwan independence or encourage separatist actions.