How Will President Trump Approach Taiwan in Upcoming Meeting with Xi Jinping?

Why It Matters

A shift in US signaling or policy could weaken Taiwan’s sense of US-backed deterrence, heighten regional uncertainty, and complicate economic and security ties in the Indo-Pacific. Such changes would carry risks for Taiwan’s democracy and for global supply chains tied to the island’s technology sector.

Summary

The speaker says President Trump may pursue a different, more flexible approach to US policy on Taiwan when meeting Xi Jinping, unbound by past diplomatic formulations. He suggests Trump favors 'common-sense' adjustments and accepts great-power influence in neighboring regions, a stance reflected in comments on Russia and Latin America. While the speaker does not expect China to undertake immediate military action, Beijing could seek a revised framework from Washington that would unsettle Taiwan and produce unforeseen political consequences on the island.

Original Description

Kurt Campbell, former US Deputy Secretary of State, says Trump may offer China a new framework on Taiwan when they meet later this year.

“I would not be surprised if he alters some elements of our approach to the maintenance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait,” he tells the Atlantic Council's Melanie Hart.

For more, watch the full event here: https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/event/kurt-campbell-on-what-to-expect-from-trumps-beijing-visit/