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Trump Says He Will Speak to Taiwan's President in Break From Protocol
On Wednesday, President Donald Trump announced plans to speak with President Lai Ching-te regarding a pending $14 billion arms package following his recent summit in Beijing with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
A direct conversation between the two leaders would mark a major diplomatic shift, as U.S. and Taiwanese presidents have not spoken directly since Washington shifted diplomatic recognition to Beijing in 1979.
Lai, whom Beijing views as a separatist, stated on Wednesday that Taiwan remains committed to the status quo and that "we hope this military procurement can continue."
Washington is required by the Taiwan Relations Act to provide defensive arms, while President Ronald Reagan's "six assurances" have guided U.S.-Taiwan policy since 1982 regarding sovereignty.
Chinese President Xi Jinping warned last week that relations between the world's two largest economies could descend into conflict if they fail to manage the Taiwan issue properly, noting Beijing has never renounced force.