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”.
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