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.

President Donald Trump arrives to the commencement ceremony on Cadet Memorial Field at the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn., on May 20, 2026. Chip Somodevilla/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.