Trump Says He Will Speak Directly With Taiwanese President as US Considers Arms Sales

No U.S. president has had a direct call with a Taiwanese president since Washington switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979.

U.S. President Donald Trump looks on during a meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping (not pictured) on the sidelines of a visit to Zhongnanhai Garden in Beijing on May 15, 2026. Evan Vucci-Pool/Getty Images

U.S. President Donald Trump has said he would have a direct conversation with Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te as he makes a final decision on approving U.S. companies to sell billions of dollars’ worth of weapons to Taiwan.

“I'll speak to him,” Trump told reporters on May 20 when asked whether he would call Taiwan’s leader before deciding on Taiwan arms sales.