Trump Made No Taiwan Commitments to Xi Jinping; Scholars: US Hopes to Retain Strategic Leverage
U.S. President Trump stated yesterday on Air Force One that he made no commitments to Chinese President Xi Jinping on the Taiwan issue. Scholars pointed out today that the U.S. hopes to retain operational space and strategic leverage for its Taiwan policy, and that simple procurement agreements between the U.S. and China are insufficient to be considered a bargaining chip to sell out Taiwan, as "Taiwan is not that worthless."
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- 📰 Published: May 16, 2026 at 16:11
- 🔍 Collected: May 16, 2026 at 16:31 (19 min after Published)
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Central News Agency Reporter Wu Shu-wei, Taipei, May 16 - U.S. President Trump stated yesterday on Air Force One on his way back to the U.S. that he made no commitments to Chinese President Xi Jinping on the Taiwan issue. Scholars pointed out today that the U.S. hopes to retain operational space and strategic leverage for its Taiwan policy, and that simple procurement agreements between the U.S. and China are insufficient to be considered a bargaining chip to sell out Taiwan, as "Taiwan is not that worthless."
The National Security Research Institute held a seminar on "US-China-Taiwan Relations after the 'Trump-Xi Summit'" this morning at the NTU Alumni Association Hall, inviting various experts and scholars. Political Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Chen Ming-chi and Mainland Affairs Council Deputy Minister Shen Yu-chung attended and delivered remarks.
Shen Yu-chung stated in his remarks that the Chinese Communist Party's long-standing "One China narrative" is a misinterpretation of the status quo and an attempt to change the status quo. The existence of the Republic of China cannot be denied, and freedom and democracy are the core values of Taiwanese society. Facing the CCP's ambitions towards Taiwan, the government will continue to uphold the principles of "Four Persistences," continuously strengthen cooperation with the United States, Japan, and Indo-Pacific partners, deepen Taiwan's self-defense, and rely on its own strength to maintain the status quo and protect peace.
Chen Ming-chi pointed out in his remarks that the U.S. policy towards Taiwan has not changed. Regarding the Taiwan issue, the U.S. has made no commitments to China, and for the most part, allows China to state its position without further response from the U.S.
Professor Chang Kuo-cheng of the General Education Center at Taipei Medical University stated that Trump's public announcement of no commitments on Taiwan indicates that both Trump and the U.S. wish to retain operational space and strategic leverage for their Taiwan policy, rather than immediately trading away the Taiwan issue. He added that the Legislative Yuan's passage of the National Defense Special Act before the Trump-Xi summit, though watered down, represents a cross-party consensus and bottom line within Taiwan to defend its security and sovereign independence, which clearly has an effect on both the U.S. and China.
Chang Kuo-cheng pointed out that if the Legislative Yuan had not passed the National Defense Special Act before the Trump-Xi summit, it might have been interpreted by the U.S. and China as Taiwan lacking resolve and preparedness to defend itself. Since Trump and Xi will meet again, Taiwan must maintain internal unity and continue to demonstrate its determination to defend its sovereign independence and national security.
Regarding Trump's statement that he does not wish to see Taiwan move towards independence, Chang Kuo-cheng believes that Trump is clearly opposed to Taiwan independence, "at least his wording makes it difficult to interpret otherwise," which also suggests some tacit understanding between Trump and Xi Jinping.
Professor Fan Shih-ping of the Department of East Asian Studies at National Taiwan Normal University observed that Trump twice mentioned "hoping China calms down" in an interview with Fox News, indicating that China's anxiety over the Taiwan issue was felt by Trump, and also highlighting China's lack of confidence on the Taiwan issue.
Associate Research Fellow Wang Kuo-chen of the Mainland Institute at Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research emphasized that the simple procurement agreements between the U.S. and China are insufficient to be considered a bargaining chip for Trump to sell out Taiwan, as "Taiwan is not that worthless." He further noted that based on reciprocal tariff agreements, TSMC and related industries are set to invest between 300 billion and 400 billion U.S. dollars in the U.S., in addition to Taiwan's commitment to purchase 85 billion U.S. dollars in U.S. oil and other products and military acquisitions within four years. Taiwan's purchases may not be less than China's, nor is its capability necessarily lower than China's.
Wang Kuo-chen stated that Taiwan will not be sold out merely due to simple procurements. More importantly, Taiwan's economic and technological strength lies in continuously advancing economic and trade cooperation with democratic supply chain countries. As long as Taiwan's strength continues to consolidate, countries worldwide will increasingly respect and seek cooperation with Taiwan. (Edited by: Lin Ke-lun) 1150516
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The National Security Research Institute held a seminar on "US-China-Taiwan Relations after the 'Trump-Xi Summit'" this morning at the NTU Alumni Association Hall, inviting various experts and scholars. Political Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Chen Ming-chi and Mainland Affairs Council Deputy Minister Shen Yu-chung attended and delivered remarks.
Shen Yu-chung stated in his remarks that the Chinese Communist Party's long-standing "One China narrative" is a misinterpretation of the status quo and an attempt to change the status quo. The existence of the Republic of China cannot be denied, and freedom and democracy are the core values of Taiwanese society. Facing the CCP's ambitions towards Taiwan, the government will continue to uphold the principles of "Four Persistences," continuously strengthen cooperation with the United States, Japan, and Indo-Pacific partners, deepen Taiwan's self-defense, and rely on its own strength to maintain the status quo and protect peace.
Chen Ming-chi pointed out in his remarks that the U.S. policy towards Taiwan has not changed. Regarding the Taiwan issue, the U.S. has made no commitments to China, and for the most part, allows China to state its position without further response from the U.S.
Professor Chang Kuo-cheng of the General Education Center at Taipei Medical University stated that Trump's public announcement of no commitments on Taiwan indicates that both Trump and the U.S. wish to retain operational space and strategic leverage for their Taiwan policy, rather than immediately trading away the Taiwan issue. He added that the Legislative Yuan's passage of the National Defense Special Act before the Trump-Xi summit, though watered down, represents a cross-party consensus and bottom line within Taiwan to defend its security and sovereign independence, which clearly has an effect on both the U.S. and China.
Chang Kuo-cheng pointed out that if the Legislative Yuan had not passed the National Defense Special Act before the Trump-Xi summit, it might have been interpreted by the U.S. and China as Taiwan lacking resolve and preparedness to defend itself. Since Trump and Xi will meet again, Taiwan must maintain internal unity and continue to demonstrate its determination to defend its sovereign independence and national security.
Regarding Trump's statement that he does not wish to see Taiwan move towards independence, Chang Kuo-cheng believes that Trump is clearly opposed to Taiwan independence, "at least his wording makes it difficult to interpret otherwise," which also suggests some tacit understanding between Trump and Xi Jinping.
Professor Fan Shih-ping of the Department of East Asian Studies at National Taiwan Normal University observed that Trump twice mentioned "hoping China calms down" in an interview with Fox News, indicating that China's anxiety over the Taiwan issue was felt by Trump, and also highlighting China's lack of confidence on the Taiwan issue.
Associate Research Fellow Wang Kuo-chen of the Mainland Institute at Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research emphasized that the simple procurement agreements between the U.S. and China are insufficient to be considered a bargaining chip for Trump to sell out Taiwan, as "Taiwan is not that worthless." He further noted that based on reciprocal tariff agreements, TSMC and related industries are set to invest between 300 billion and 400 billion U.S. dollars in the U.S., in addition to Taiwan's commitment to purchase 85 billion U.S. dollars in U.S. oil and other products and military acquisitions within four years. Taiwan's purchases may not be less than China's, nor is its capability necessarily lower than China's.
Wang Kuo-chen stated that Taiwan will not be sold out merely due to simple procurements. More importantly, Taiwan's economic and technological strength lies in continuously advancing economic and trade cooperation with democratic supply chain countries. As long as Taiwan's strength continues to consolidate, countries worldwide will increasingly respect and seek cooperation with Taiwan. (Edited by: Lin Ke-lun) 1150516
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom. Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news. The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.