Trump Says He Will Speak with President Lai, Arms Sales Expected to be Discussed

(CNA, Washington, 20th, by reporter Hou Tzu-ying) U.S. President Donald Trump, responding to a media query today, stated that he will speak with Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te, saying "I'll talk to everyone," but did not disclose a timeline. Donald Trump visited China last week and met with Chinese President Xi Jinping. After the meeting, Trump said a decision on a new U.S. arms sale to Taiwan would be made soon and mentioned that he would speak with "the people who govern Taiwan." Today at Joint Base Andrews, while taking questions from the media, Trump was asked if he planned to speak with President Lai before making a decision on the arms sale to Taiwan. Trump replied, "I will talk to him, I talk to everyone," but provided no further details on the timing. Trump stated, "We have that situation under very good control," and added that he had a great meeting with Xi Jinping. Trump said, "We will handle that Taiwan problem." In response to a media query in Taipei on the 20th, President Lai stated that if he had the opportunity to speak with Trump, he would emphasize that enhancing national defense capabilities and military procurement from the U.S. are necessary means to safeguard Taiwan's security and maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. "We hope this military purchase can continue," Lai said. President Lai also said he would stress that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are essential elements for world security and prosperity, that the Taiwan government maintains the status quo without being either servile or overbearing, and that Taiwan is a guardian of peace and stability in the strait, whereas China is the saboteur. (Editor: Tang Pei-chun)