Taiwan says President Lai would be happy to talk to Trump

Taiwan signaled openness to direct talks between President Lai Ching-te and U.S. President Donald Trump, marking a potentially significant shift in cross-strait diplomacy. The statement revives attention on U.S.-Taiwan relations amid rising tensions with China over the self-governed island.

Ben Blanchard/Reuters

May 21, 2026

Taiwan says President Lai would be happy to talk to Trump

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te speaks at a news conference on the second anniversary of his taking office, at the presidential building in Taipei, Taiwan May 20, 2026.

Ann Wang/Reuters

Taiwan's Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that President Lai Ching-te would be be happy to speak with U.S. President Donald Trump.

U.S. and Taiwanese presidents have not spoken directly since Washington shifted diplomatic recognition to Beijing from Taipei in 1979.

However, in late 2016 then President-elect Trump broke decades of U.S. diplomatic precedent by speaking directly, by telephone, with then-Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen.

Beijing has never renounced the use of force to take control of the democratically governed island. It has been angered by longstanding U.S. military support for Taiwan to deter Chinese military action.

-Ben Blanchard/Reuters