FT Interview: Cheng Li-wen Says US, China Should Not Treat Taiwan as a Pawn
Kuomintang (KMT) Chairperson Cheng Li-wen, in an interview with the Financial Times, urged the US and China not to treat Taiwan as a pawn in great-power games, emphasized the importance of cross-strait dialogue, and explained the party's position on defense budget cuts.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: June 10, 2026 at 13:55
- 🔍 Collected: June 10, 2026 at 14:02 (7 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 10, 2026 at 14:03 (1 min after Collected)
(Central News Agency, Reporter Wang Cheng-chung, Taipei, 10th) The Kuomintang (KMT) announced today that its Chairperson, Cheng Li-wen, stated in an interview with the Financial Times (FT) in New York that the United States and China should not treat Taiwan as a pawn in great-power games. The US plays an indispensable role in maintaining peace, and she hopes Washington can play a more constructive and active leadership role in promoting peace in East Asia and the Taiwan Strait.
The KMT's Department of Cultural and Communications issued a press release today stating that during the FT interview in New York, Cheng Li-wen commented on US President Donald Trump's remarks during his visit to Beijing that US arms sales to Taiwan were a "very good bargaining chip" in negotiations with China. Cheng emphasized that Taiwan must never become, nor be reduced to, a pawn on the bargaining table of great powers. The US and China should not treat Taiwan as a pawn in their strategic games.
Cheng pointed out that the most important message from the "Cheng-Xi Meeting" was peace. "The interruption of exchanges between Taipei and Beijing over the past decade or more has led to highly tense cross-strait relations. With no dialogue between the two sides, the situation has nearly reached the brink of war. Many people in Taiwan are very worried and hope Taiwan does not become the next Ukraine."
Cheng stated that the US plays an indispensable role in maintaining peace, and especially after the "Trump-Xi Meeting," she hopes Washington can play a more constructive and active leadership role in promoting peace in East Asia and the Taiwan Strait.
Cheng noted that promoting cross-strait exchanges helps foster regional peace and stability. When asked by an FT reporter about anticipated skepticism from US political circles that such engagement might weaken deterrence against China, Cheng said she would explain to US lawmakers that such concerns are "completely unnecessary."
Cheng stated that most countries in the world believe cross-strait dialogue helps avoid miscalculation and improve relations, and it does not mean Taiwan will abandon its own deterrence capabilities. The US need not doubt the KMT's stance. Since World War II, the KMT has been a very important partner of the US. "This will not change, and we also place great importance on building mutual trust with the US."
Regarding the issue of Taiwan's defense budget, the KMT noted that the FT report mentioned some US lawmakers were dissatisfied with the KMT-led reduction of the Lai administration's proposed $40 billion special defense budget to $25 billion. This budget included arms purchases from the US, and the budget cut also affected a domestic drone program that the US considers crucial for enhancing Taiwan's deterrence capabilities.
Cheng stated that the KMT does not oppose the drone budget, and the outcome was mainly due to domestic political factors. She criticized the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for proposing a defense special budget that violates the principles of the Legislative Yuan, calling it an outrageous proposal. (Editor: Szu-chia Chi) 1150610
The KMT's Department of Cultural and Communications issued a press release today stating that during the FT interview in New York, Cheng Li-wen commented on US President Donald Trump's remarks during his visit to Beijing that US arms sales to Taiwan were a "very good bargaining chip" in negotiations with China. Cheng emphasized that Taiwan must never become, nor be reduced to, a pawn on the bargaining table of great powers. The US and China should not treat Taiwan as a pawn in their strategic games.
Cheng pointed out that the most important message from the "Cheng-Xi Meeting" was peace. "The interruption of exchanges between Taipei and Beijing over the past decade or more has led to highly tense cross-strait relations. With no dialogue between the two sides, the situation has nearly reached the brink of war. Many people in Taiwan are very worried and hope Taiwan does not become the next Ukraine."
Cheng stated that the US plays an indispensable role in maintaining peace, and especially after the "Trump-Xi Meeting," she hopes Washington can play a more constructive and active leadership role in promoting peace in East Asia and the Taiwan Strait.
Cheng noted that promoting cross-strait exchanges helps foster regional peace and stability. When asked by an FT reporter about anticipated skepticism from US political circles that such engagement might weaken deterrence against China, Cheng said she would explain to US lawmakers that such concerns are "completely unnecessary."
Cheng stated that most countries in the world believe cross-strait dialogue helps avoid miscalculation and improve relations, and it does not mean Taiwan will abandon its own deterrence capabilities. The US need not doubt the KMT's stance. Since World War II, the KMT has been a very important partner of the US. "This will not change, and we also place great importance on building mutual trust with the US."
Regarding the issue of Taiwan's defense budget, the KMT noted that the FT report mentioned some US lawmakers were dissatisfied with the KMT-led reduction of the Lai administration's proposed $40 billion special defense budget to $25 billion. This budget included arms purchases from the US, and the budget cut also affected a domestic drone program that the US considers crucial for enhancing Taiwan's deterrence capabilities.
Cheng stated that the KMT does not oppose the drone budget, and the outcome was mainly due to domestic political factors. She criticized the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for proposing a defense special budget that violates the principles of the Legislative Yuan, calling it an outrageous proposal. (Editor: Szu-chia Chi) 1150610
FAQ
What did Cheng Li-wen say in the FT interview?
She said the US and China should not treat Taiwan as a pawn, and cross-strait dialogue is crucial for peace.
Why did the KMT cut the defense budget?
Cheng explained it was due to domestic political factors, and the KMT does not oppose the drone budget itself.
What is Cheng Li-wen's message to the US?
She hopes the US plays a more constructive role in promoting peace in East Asia and the Taiwan Strait.