BBC reports that U.S. President Donald Trump has said he will speak directly with Taiwanese leader Lai Ching-te regarding a possible arms deal a move that would mark a major departure from long-standing diplomatic practice.
Since 1979, U.S. presidents have avoided direct contact with Taiwan’s leaders after Washington severed official diplomatic ties with Taipei and recognized Beijing as the government of China.
China continues to claim Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to achieve reunification. Taiwan’s President Lai, who took office in 2024, has strengthened efforts to bolster the island’s defense amid rising tensions.
The United States has long maintained a carefully balanced position: while it does not formally recognize Taiwan as a sovereign state, it is legally obligated under the Taiwan Relations Act to provide the island with defensive weapons.
Trump said he would “talk to everyone” and that discussions over a potential arms package — reportedly worth around $14 billion — are ongoing. The proposed deal is said to include anti-drone systems and air defense equipment, though no final decision has been made.
The potential direct call between Trump and Lai would challenge decades of diplomatic precedent, which has avoided formal leader-to-leader contact between Washington and Taipei in order to avoid provoking Beijing.
Trump also emphasized his relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping, describing it as “extraordinary,” even as tensions over Taiwan remain one of the most sensitive issues in U.S.–China relations.
Beijing has reportedly reacted strongly behind the scenes, including by complicating diplomatic visits linked to the Pentagon’s policy leadership, according to the Financial Times.
Trump has previously taken unconventional steps on Taiwan policy, including direct communication with Taiwan’s leadership during his first term, breaking with established protocol at the time.
Despite rising tensions, Taiwan maintains that it is a sovereign democratic state, while China continues to insist the island is part of its territory — a dispute that remains one of the most volatile geopolitical flashpoints in the world.
