Taiwan says a potential phone call between President Donald Trump and Taiwanese leader Lai Ching-te would be viewed as a highly positive development, although officials confirmed no formal planning discussions have taken place so far.
Taiwanese Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung said on Monday that any move towards a direct conversation would ultimately depend on Trump taking the initiative.
A direct phone call between sitting leaders of the United States and Taiwan would be unprecedented in modern diplomatic history and could significantly strain relations between Washington and China.
The US and Taiwan have not had direct presidential-level communication since Washington officially switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979.
Trump recently reignited global speculation after publicly stating once again that he intended to speak with Lai, following his meeting earlier this month with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The remarks drew major international attention, particularly after Trump repeated the statement days later, dismissing suggestions that his earlier comments may have been accidental.
Speaking during a parliamentary session, Lin said Taiwan would welcome such a conversation if it eventually materialises.
“If there were a phone call between the heads of state of the United States and Taiwan, we would view that very positively,” he said.
However, Lin stressed that no bilateral consultations or preparations have officially taken place yet regarding the proposed call.
“I believe the president’s side is well prepared, but it also depends on President Trump and whether he chooses to proactively make it happen,” he added.
Last week, Lai said that if he were given the opportunity to speak directly with Trump, he would raise concerns over China’s growing pressure on Taiwan and Beijing’s attempts to undermine regional peace.
Lai also reiterated that no country has the right to “annex” Taiwan, a position that continues to anger Beijing.
China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has repeatedly labelled Lai a “separatist” due to his refusal to accept Beijing’s sovereignty claims.
Despite rising tensions, Lai has repeatedly offered talks with China, though those proposals have reportedly been rejected.
The possible Trump-Lai conversation also comes amid discussions surrounding a potential new US arms package for Taiwan reportedly worth US$14 billion.
Trump has yet to confirm whether the weapons sale will proceed, although Washington approved another US$11 billion package for Taiwan late last year — the largest military support package to date.
Both Taipei and Washington have maintained that US policy towards Taiwan remains unchanged following the recent Trump-Xi meeting.
Under the Taiwan Relations Act, the United States remains legally committed to helping Taiwan maintain its self-defence capabilities.
