Sigh of relief as Trump and Xi steer clear of talk about Taiwan

Analysts say island not discussed as US and China focused on trade, tariff issues

- Yip Wai Yee Taiwan Correspondent

Taipei residents watching a TV news programme showing the meeting of US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea on Oct 30. Taiwan's Presidential Office spokeswoman Karen Kuo said that the island "welcomes anything that helps ensure the status quo of regional security and stability". PHOTO: AFP

(AFP)

Taipei heaved a cautious sigh of relief as US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping - contrary to expectations - steered clear of talking about Taiwan during their Oct 30 meeting in South Korea.

"We have been closely following the summit, and we welcome anything that helps ensure the status quo of regional security and stability," Taiwan's Presidential Office spokeswoman Karen Kuo told a news conference on Oct 30.

"Taiwan will continue to maintain close contact with the US, and communication between the two sides has been smooth," she added.

For days leading up to the summit the two leaders' first face-to-face meeting since 2019 - there had been concern that Mr Trump, who is known for his transactional foreign policy, might "sell out" the self-ruled island in his push for a better trade deal with Beijing.

Some observers, including several unnamed White House officials, were reportedly worried that their President could walk away from longstanding US policy on Taiwan and openly express opposition to the island's independence.

Taipei sees Washington as its most important security backer against Beijing, which claims the island as its territory and, in recent years, has ratcheted up military, diplomatic and economic pressure on it.

Washington is obliged under the Taiwan Relations Act, passed by the US Congress in 1979, to provide the island with the arms it needs to defend itself.