Trump-Xi Summit Approaches, UK Guardian Editorial Calls on US Not to Change Stance on Taiwan
The UK's "The Guardian" newspaper published an editorial urging US President Donald Trump not to alter the US stance on Taiwan ahead of his upcoming summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The editorial expressed concern that Trump's transactional approach could impact Taiwan's status and highlighted China's ambition for unification and the risks of miscalculation.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 4, 2026 at 10:23
- 🔍 Collected: May 4, 2026 at 10:31 (8 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 4, 2026 at 10:34 (3 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Chen Yun-ju, London, May 3) US President Donald Trump will visit Beijing from May 14 to 15, during which he will hold a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The UK's "The Guardian" newspaper today published an editorial calling on Trump not to change his stance on Taiwan.
The Guardian editorial expressed support for Taiwan, while also having reservations about Trump. The article described Trump as a purely "transactional" president, leading Beijing to perceive an opportunity: Trump is eager to reach a trade agreement with China and hopes Beijing will pressure Iran in the Middle East, which might make the US willing to adjust its stance on Taiwan as a bargaining chip with Beijing. Beijing would welcome a reduction in US arms sales to Taiwan.
The editorial argued that although US intelligence analysis warned three years ago that Xi Jinping had ordered the People's Liberation Army to be ready for an invasion of Taiwan by 2027, Beijing apparently still prefers to take Taiwan without resorting to force.
The editorial pointed out that Beijing could choose to continue developing its military and economic power, escalating its intimidation against Taiwan, until the situation suggests that the US will not risk intervention, or Taiwan feels it has "no choice."
The editorial mentioned that Beijing expects that even a slight adjustment in the wording of the US's stance on Taiwan would help Taiwan feel that the so-called "unification" is a "historical inevitability."
Although many analysts believe that the probability of China militarily invading Taiwan in the next two to three years is low, The Guardian editorial pointed out that some other analyses argue that China might instead see a limited window of opportunity to seize as soon as possible.
The Guardian cited reasons including that the US might not necessarily have a president with a tougher stance on Beijing regarding Taiwan; and that the Trump administration seems to no longer focus on Asia, being deeply entrenched in Middle East affairs and consuming a large amount of ammunition. Furthermore, Taiwan's defense spending may significantly increase in the future. Nevertheless, Beijing still has reasons not to feel entirely optimistic, as Trump's actions are extremely unpredictable.
On the other hand, with Taiwan's presidential election in 2028 and the two major opposition parties, the Kuomintang and the Taiwan People's Party, cooperating in local elections scheduled for later this year, The Guardian mentioned that Beijing's assessment might be that Taiwan's political situation is evolving in a direction favorable to China.
The Guardian editorial pointed out that although the proportion of Taiwanese who consider themselves purely "Taiwanese" has tripled in the past 30 years, and up to two-thirds of Taiwanese view China as the main threat, many still believe that improving cross-strait relations is a "pragmatic choice" for Taiwan.
The editorial mentioned that KMT Chairman Cheng Li-wen met with Xi Jinping in Beijing in April, and China offered Taiwan a series of economic incentives. However, under the strategy of "sticks and carrots," Beijing uses more sticks. President Lai Ching-te recently successfully visited Eswatini, but this visit was originally forced to be canceled due to some countries along the route revoking flight permits.
The Guardian pointed out that active democracies, such as Taiwan, deserve continuous support from all parties. Trump's erratic remarks could lead China to believe that it can achieve "unification" with Taiwan without resorting to force, but at the same time, it could also lead Beijing to take actions that further escalate the situation.
Therefore, the risk of misjudgment or accidental events could increase, The Guardian emphasized, which would benefit no party. For the United States, taking actions that help consolidate the "status quo" is in its interest. (Edited by Chang Chih-hsuan) 1150504
(Central News Agency reporter Chen Yun-ju, London, May 3) US President Donald Trump will visit Beijing from May 14 to 15, during which he will hold a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The UK's "The Guardian" newspaper today published an editorial calling on Trump not to change his stance on Taiwan.
The Guardian editorial expressed support for Taiwan, while also having reservations about Trump. The article described Trump as a purely "transactional" president, leading Beijing to perceive an opportunity: Trump is eager to reach a trade agreement with China and hopes Beijing will pressure Iran in the Middle East, which might make the US willing to adjust its stance on Taiwan as a bargaining chip with Beijing. Beijing would welcome a reduction in US arms sales to Taiwan.
The editorial argued that although US intelligence analysis warned three years ago that Xi Jinping had ordered the People's Liberation Army to be ready for an invasion of Taiwan by 2027, Beijing apparently still prefers to take Taiwan without resorting to force.
The editorial pointed out that Beijing could choose to continue developing its military and economic power, escalating its intimidation against Taiwan, until the situation suggests that the US will not risk intervention, or Taiwan feels it has "no choice."
The editorial mentioned that Beijing expects that even a slight adjustment in the wording of the US's stance on Taiwan would help Taiwan feel that the so-called "unification" is a "historical inevitability."
Although many analysts believe that the probability of China militarily invading Taiwan in the next two to three years is low, The Guardian editorial pointed out that some other analyses argue that China might instead see a limited window of opportunity to seize as soon as possible.
The Guardian cited reasons including that the US might not necessarily have a president with a tougher stance on Beijing regarding Taiwan; and that the Trump administration seems to no longer focus on Asia, being deeply entrenched in Middle East affairs and consuming a large amount of ammunition. Furthermore, Taiwan's defense spending may significantly increase in the future. Nevertheless, Beijing still has reasons not to feel entirely optimistic, as Trump's actions are extremely unpredictable.
On the other hand, with Taiwan's presidential election in 2028 and the two major opposition parties, the Kuomintang and the Taiwan People's Party, cooperating in local elections scheduled for later this year, The Guardian mentioned that Beijing's assessment might be that Taiwan's political situation is evolving in a direction favorable to China.
The Guardian editorial pointed out that although the proportion of Taiwanese who consider themselves purely "Taiwanese" has tripled in the past 30 years, and up to two-thirds of Taiwanese view China as the main threat, many still believe that improving cross-strait relations is a "pragmatic choice" for Taiwan.
The editorial mentioned that KMT Chairman Cheng Li-wen met with Xi Jinping in Beijing in April, and China offered Taiwan a series of economic incentives. However, under the strategy of "sticks and carrots," Beijing uses more sticks. President Lai Ching-te recently successfully visited Eswatini, but this visit was originally forced to be canceled due to some countries along the route revoking flight permits.
The Guardian pointed out that active democracies, such as Taiwan, deserve continuous support from all parties. Trump's erratic remarks could lead China to believe that it can achieve "unification" with Taiwan without resorting to force, but at the same time, it could also lead Beijing to take actions that further escalate the situation.
Therefore, the risk of misjudgment or accidental events could increase, The Guardian emphasized, which would benefit no party. For the United States, taking actions that help consolidate the "status quo" is in its interest. (Edited by Chang Chih-hsuan) 1150504