The United States and Taiwan have reportedly not made any concrete arrangements for a phone call between President Donald Trump and Taiwanese leader Lai Ching-te, despite Trump recently suggesting the two could speak soon.
According to sources familiar with the matter, Trump’s remarks surprised officials in both Washington and Taipei, with some initially believing the statement may have been a verbal slip.
However, Trump later repeated the claim publicly, fuelling speculation that a historic conversation between the two leaders could still happen.
If the call takes place, it would mark an unprecedented move in modern US-Taiwan relations, as leaders from both sides have not spoken directly since Washington formally switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to China in 1979.
Sources said officials from the US and Taiwan have since discussed the possibility of arranging a call, but no confirmed plans or schedule have been finalised so far.
The issue has reportedly alarmed Beijing, which considers Taiwan part of its territory and strongly opposes official exchanges between Taiwan and foreign governments.
China’s embassy in Washington warned the US against sending what it described as the “wrong message” to supporters of Taiwanese independence.
Chinese officials also reportedly conveyed private warnings to Washington, saying such a call could damage improving US-China ties following Trump’s recent meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Meanwhile, Taiwan’s presidential office declined to confirm whether any conversation had been arranged.
Speaking earlier this week, Lai said that if he were given the opportunity to speak with Trump, he would stress that China is undermining regional peace and that no country has the right to annex Taiwan.
The potential call comes amid growing tensions across the Taiwan Strait and continued international concern over China’s military and political pressure on the self-ruled island.
