Trump Says He Will Talk to President Lai; MOFA States It Will Reflect Taiwan's Voice If Given the Opportunity
In response to a Bloomberg report that former U.S. President Donald Trump said he would speak with Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) spokesperson Hsiao Kuang-wei stated on the evening of the 20th that President Lai would reflect the voice of Taiwanese society if the opportunity arises. Hsiao emphasized that Taiwan is the guardian of peace in the Taiwan Strait while China is the saboteur, and expressed hope for the continuation of U.S. arms sales. This comes as the U.S. government considers a US$14 billion arms sale to Taiwan.
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- 📰 Published: May 21, 2026 at 00:47
- 🔍 Collected: May 21, 2026 at 01:02 (14 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 21, 2026 at 01:03 (1 min after Collected)
(CNA, Taipei, May 20, by reporter Yang Yao-ju) Bloomberg reported today that former U.S. President Donald Trump stated he would speak with Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te. In response, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) spokesperson Hsiao Kuang-wei said this evening that President Lai has already explained he will reflect the voice of Taiwanese society, emphasizing that Taiwan is the guardian of peace in the Taiwan Strait, while China is the saboteur, and expressing hope that U.S. military purchases can continue.
Bloomberg reported that former U.S. President Donald Trump stated today he would speak with Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te, at a time when the U.S. government is considering whether to proceed with a US$14 billion arms sale to Taiwan.
In response to a query from CNA, MOFA spokesperson Hsiao Kuang-wei replied this evening that President Lai has already publicly stated today that Taiwan-U.S. communication channels have always been smooth. If given the opportunity, he will reflect the voice of Taiwanese society and made four points of emphasis. First, peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are essential elements for world security and prosperity; the government will maintain the status quo without being either servile or overbearing, and Taiwan is also a guardian of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
MOFA stated, second, that China is the saboteur of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. China continues its military expansion in the East China Sea and South China Sea, and its military exercises have extended to the Western Pacific, escalating tensions in the Indo-Pacific region. Third, as Taiwan feels the threat is increasingly severe, it has increased its defense budget, believing that only strength can bring peace. Enhancing national defense and military procurement from the U.S. are necessary means to maintain Taiwan's security and the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait, and it is hoped that these arms purchases will continue.
MOFA said, fourth, that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign and independent country, and no country has the right to annex Taiwan. The people of Taiwan pursue a life of democracy and freedom, and democracy and freedom should not be regarded as a provocation. Therefore, it is highly anticipated that Taiwan and the U.S., as well as Taiwan and other democratic countries, can cooperate to promote peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and regional peace and security. (Editor: Lin Kerun)
Bloomberg reported that former U.S. President Donald Trump stated today he would speak with Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te, at a time when the U.S. government is considering whether to proceed with a US$14 billion arms sale to Taiwan.
In response to a query from CNA, MOFA spokesperson Hsiao Kuang-wei replied this evening that President Lai has already publicly stated today that Taiwan-U.S. communication channels have always been smooth. If given the opportunity, he will reflect the voice of Taiwanese society and made four points of emphasis. First, peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are essential elements for world security and prosperity; the government will maintain the status quo without being either servile or overbearing, and Taiwan is also a guardian of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
MOFA stated, second, that China is the saboteur of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. China continues its military expansion in the East China Sea and South China Sea, and its military exercises have extended to the Western Pacific, escalating tensions in the Indo-Pacific region. Third, as Taiwan feels the threat is increasingly severe, it has increased its defense budget, believing that only strength can bring peace. Enhancing national defense and military procurement from the U.S. are necessary means to maintain Taiwan's security and the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait, and it is hoped that these arms purchases will continue.
MOFA said, fourth, that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign and independent country, and no country has the right to annex Taiwan. The people of Taiwan pursue a life of democracy and freedom, and democracy and freedom should not be regarded as a provocation. Therefore, it is highly anticipated that Taiwan and the U.S., as well as Taiwan and other democratic countries, can cooperate to promote peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and regional peace and security. (Editor: Lin Kerun)