Trump Willing to Talk with President Lai; DPP Caucus Calls it a "Historic Breakthrough"

(CNA, Taipei, 21st) Former U.S. President Donald Trump said yesterday that he would speak with President Lai Ching-te. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislative caucus stated today that this is a historic new breakthrough and they are optimistic about it. Regarding the opposition parties' doubts that Trump might use this to demand more concessions, the DPP caucus said the real concern should be whether Taiwan fully supports increasing its defense budget and enhancing its defense capabilities, and whether the opposition parties will deliberately obstruct Taiwan from acquiring defensive weapons. In response to a media inquiry yesterday about whether he would talk to President Lai, Trump said, "I will talk to him. I talk to everyone. We will deal with that, the Taiwan issue." DPP caucus secretary-general Fan Yun stated at a press conference this morning that the DPP caucus is optimistic, and if Trump and President Lai were to speak, it would also be a historic new breakthrough. Regarding the opposition lawmakers' questions about why a call is needed beforehand if arms sales can be signed directly, and their worry that Trump might use it to demand more from Taiwan, Fan said that the opposition often criticizes whether there is a call or not, with many objections disguised as concerns. However, the most important thing is whether Taiwan itself fully supports increasing the defense budget and enhancing defense capabilities. Fan pointed out that a poll conducted by U.S. media after the Trump-Xi meeting showed that over 70% of Americans support U.S. arms sales to Taiwan. Regardless of which party is in power in the U.S., the Taiwan Relations Act clearly stipulates support for Taiwan's self-defense capability, which is the legal basis. Fan stated that the biggest worry should be whether political parties within Taiwan will deliberately obstruct Taiwan's acquisition of weapons sufficient for its defense, including strengthening Taiwan's unmanned vehicle industry. Fan said that President Lai mentioned at his press conference yesterday for the first anniversary of his May 20 inauguration that if he were to speak with Trump, he would express four points: 1. Taiwan is the guardian of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. 2. China is the one undermining stability in the Taiwan Strait and the region. 3. Taiwan will continue to strengthen its self-defense capabilities and increase its defense budget. 4. The Republic of China, Taiwan, is a sovereign and independent country; no country has the right to annex Taiwan, and Taiwan will continue to work with democratic allies to maintain peace in the Taiwan Strait.