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Home / Taiwan / Is Trump pulling back from Taiwan?
Taiwan, Asia, China

August 3, 2025

Is Trump pulling back from Taiwan?

By Lyle Goldstein

A remarkable shift in US foreign policy unfolded last week, with potentially far-reaching consequences for global security. For the first time in nearly two decades, Washington issued a sharp and public rebuke to Taiwan.

The immediate trigger was the cancellation of President Lai Ching-te’s trip to Latin America, which had included planned stopovers in New York and Dallas. According to reports, the Trump administration instructed Lai to skip his US visits.

This marks a possible course correction in America’s stance toward Taipei. Laï’s grounded trip follows the suspension of another planned visit—by Taiwan’s defense minister, Wellington Koo, in June—which was reportedly scrapped after a Trump-Xi phone call. One report suggested the shift reflects Trump’s desire to “avoid antagonizing China”.

Read at UnHerd

Author

Photo of Lyle Goldstein

Lyle
Goldstein

Director, Asia Program

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