By Ginika Igboke
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te said on May 20 that if he were given the opportunity to speak with U.S. President Donald Trump, he would tell him that China is the primary force destabilizing peace and security across the Taiwan Strait.
Lai made the remarks at Taiwan’s presidential office while marking the midpoint of his presidency, as the island faces growing military pressure and increasing coercive actions from the Chinese communist government.
The United States shifted diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979, and no direct conversation has taken place between sitting leaders of Taiwan and the United States since then. However, in 2016, then-President-elect Trump held a rare phone conversation with Lai’s predecessor, Tsai Ing-wen.
Trump recently indicated he may speak with Lai before deciding on a pending arms package for Taiwan.
“I’ll speak to him. I speak to everybody. We have that situation very well in hand,” Trump told reporters, adding that the Taiwan issue would be addressed.
Speaking aboard Air Force One after a recent trip, Trump also said he would make a decision on a proposed U.S. arms sale after discussions with “the person that’s running Taiwan.”
Responding to Trump’s comments, Lai said communication channels between Taiwan and Washington remain open. He added that if such a conversation took place, he had a responsibility to represent the views of the Taiwanese people.
Lai said he would emphasize that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are critical to global prosperity and security, while reaffirming his administration’s commitment to preserving the current status quo.
He also accused China of being the main destabilizing force in the region.
“China is the destroyer of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait,” Lai said, citing Beijing’s expanding military activity and exercises stretching into the Western Pacific and broader Indo-Pacific region.
The Chinese Communist Party considers Taiwan part of its territory and has repeatedly stated that it may use force to bring the island under its control. Taiwan, however, operates as a self-governing democracy with its own constitution, military, and elected government.
In recent years, China has significantly increased military operations near Taiwan, regularly deploying aircraft and naval vessels around the island and conducting large-scale exercises.
Lai reaffirmed Taiwan’s sovereignty, stating that the island, formally known as the Republic of China, is an independent nation.
“No country has the right to annex Taiwan,” he said. “The people of Taiwan pursue a democratic and free way of life, and democracy and freedom should not be regarded as provocation.”
Taiwan Pushes for Continued U.S. Arms Support
Lai also expressed hope that U.S. arms sales to Taiwan would continue, calling them necessary for preserving peace and regional stability.
A proposed $14 billion U.S. arms package remains under review by the Trump administration. Trump previously approved an $11.1 billion weapons package for Taiwan in late 2025.
Although formal diplomatic ties do not exist, the United States remains Taiwan’s largest arms supplier under the framework of the Taiwan Relations Act.
Taiwan’s opposition-controlled legislature recently approved an additional $25 billion in defense spending—less than the $40 billion requested by Lai.
Members of the U.S. Congressional Taiwan Caucus, including Mario Díaz-Balart, Ami Bera, Greg Stanton, and Andy Barr, urged Taiwan to fully fund its defense priorities.
Lai Defends Taiwan’s Right to Determine Its Future
During his speech, Lai stressed that Taiwan’s future should be determined solely by its 23 million people.
“Taiwan’s future cannot be decided by forces outside our borders, nor can it be held hostage by fear, division, or short-term gain,” he said.
Lai added that Taiwan remains willing to engage with China on the basis of equality and mutual respect but rejected attempts to frame political unification as a path to peace.
The Chinese government has refused to engage with Lai’s administration, labeling him a separatist because of his outspoken defense of Taiwan’s sovereignty.
Lai also warned that parliament’s failure to approve his full defense budget request could negatively affect regional peace and security.
To address the shortfall, he said the government plans to pursue alternative funding measures, including supplemental budgets, procurement projects, and international cooperation initiatives.
He emphasized the importance of expanding Taiwan’s domestic defense capabilities, particularly in unmanned aerial, maritime, and land systems.
“My commitment to the people of Taiwan is to ensure that we are a nation with the strength to defend ourselves, as well as to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait,” Lai said.
Meanwhile, in China, spokesperson Chen Binhua criticized Lai’s remarks, accusing him of promoting separatist policies.
Separately, Taiwan recently withdrew from a ministerial conference of the World Trade Organization in Cameroon after the host nation identified Taiwan as a “Province of China” on visa documents.
The incident led more than 20 bipartisan U.S. lawmakers—including Linda T. Sánchez and Adrian Smith—to urge WTO leadership to ensure such actions do not become precedent at future international meetings.
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