China chides US after Trump says he will talk to Taiwan's Lai
China's Foreign Ministry warned the United States that President Donald Trump's announcement of a phone call with Taiwan's leader Lai Ching-te 'violates the one-China principle.' Beijing also called on Washington to halt official contacts with Taiwan.
At a press briefing, a spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry described Trump's announcement as 'a seriously wrong signal.' The statement called on Washington to abide by the one-China principle, honour the obligations of the three joint communiqués, and halt official contacts with Taiwan. China's People's Liberation Army said the 'routine readiness' patrols of its Eastern Theatre Command continue.
Taiwan's Lai administration said it welcomed the announcement 'positively' and that technical consultations on the call's agenda and timing have begun. Taiwanese foreign-affairs officials added that the agenda will include not only security but also economic and semiconductor cooperation.
The call comes during a period in which Beijing has been carefully watching the aftermath of the Trump–Xi summit. Taiwan's currency market saw volatility and TSMC shares were affected by the news. A White House spokesperson said the call is 'part of routine leader-to-leader contact.'
More from Asia
Nvidia rival AMD invests $12.8 billion in Taiwan chip industry
AMD has signed a multi-year, $12.8 billion investment programme with TSMC and other suppliers to expand AI-accelerator development and packaging capacity in Taiwan. The deal includes dedicated lines at TSMC's Hsinchu and Kaohsiung campuses.
Japan to bolster sea lane defence with Southeast Asia info-sharing plan
Japan will set up a broad maritime information-sharing framework with Southeast Asian countries, led by the Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia. With the Hormuz crisis and South China Sea tensions in the background, Tokyo is moving to protect critical trade lanes.
Inflation storm builds in India as rupee sinks deeper
India's wholesale price inflation is expected to face additional upward pressure as oil and metal prices remain elevated amid geopolitical tensions. A weakening rupee is further worsening the inflation outlook, a new report warned.