THE LATEST | CANADAChinese President Xi Jinping is reportedly leveraging planned high-level meetings with the Trump administration to push for a major concession on Taiwan: a formal U.S. statement that it “opposes” Taiwanese independence.
This move goes significantly beyond the previous U.S. stance of “not supporting” independence and would, in Beijing’s view, isolate Taiwan and align the U.S. with China’s ultimate goal of “reunification.”
Sources suggest Xi believes President Trump, who is eager for an economic deal, may be open to the discussion.
The diplomatic push comes as the U.S. relationship with Taiwan shows strains, with the Trump administration recently delaying military aid and denying a transit stop for Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te. Experts warn that securing this concession is the “holy grail” for Beijing, as it would severely undermine Taipei’s confidence in Washington’s commitment.
TCE