Taiwan President Says He Would Tell Trump Beijing Is Destabilizing the Region, If They Hold Talks

‘No country has the right to annex Taiwan,’ Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said.

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te speaks at a press conference on the latest round of economic talks with the United States, in Taipei, Taiwan, on Feb. 3, 2026. Ann Wang/Reuters

TAIPEI, Taiwan—Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te said on May 20 that if given the chance, he would tell U.S. President Donald Trump that China is the “destroyer” of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

Speaking at the presidential office, Lai delivered a speech marking two years in office, at the halfway point of his presidency, amid growing military pressure and escalating coercion from the Chinese communist regime.