No Taiwan call and no new arms sales: how Trump is preparing to welcome Xi to Washington
South China Morning Post reports the White House has postponed a planned phone call with Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te and shelved a pending arms sales package as it prepares for Xi Jinping's visit in September. The Trump administration also agreed to open talks with Beijing on semiconductor export controls. Taiwan's foreign ministry said it has not been formally briefed by Washington.
South China Morning Post reports the National Security Council decided this week to delay a phone call between Trump and Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te, originally planned for July, until after Xi Jinping's state visit. A $1.3 billion arms sales package expected for Congressional notification next month has also been put on procedural hold. One Trump adviser told SCMP the goal was to "preserve the diplomatic runway" ahead of the summit.
Washington and Beijing have also agreed to open parallel working tracks ahead of the September summit on rare earths, military communications and semiconductor export controls. Former US trade representative Karen Newcomb, who advises on Hong Kong-Beijing economic dialogue, called the move "consistent with Trump's deal-led posture".
Taiwan's foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Chia-lung said the government is awaiting a formal briefing from Washington. The Lai administration is choosing a restrained tone to avoid amplifying tension. Beijing's foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian called the steps "a positive signal". The Taipei TAIEX index closed 0.8% lower on the day.
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