Trump Denies Taiwan President Lai's Transit Through New York... Conscious of Summit With China?

U.S. Hardliners on China and Pro-Taiwan Factions May Push Back

President Lai Ching-te of Taiwan planned to transit through New York, United States, during his visit to Central and South America next month, but President Donald Trump did not grant permission, according to a report by the British daily Financial Times (FT) on the 28th (local time).

Reuters Yonhap News

On this day, Taiwan's Presidential Office cited reasons such as typhoon recovery efforts and announced that President Lai has no plans to visit foreign countries in the near future. However, the FT reported that this decision was made after being notified by the United States that transit was not permitted.

President Lai, who is known for his pro-American stance, had originally planned to visit three Central and South American countries?Paraguay, Guatemala, and Belize?by transiting through New York on the 4th of next month. However, President Trump denied Lai's transit through New York following opposition from China.

In relation to this, Bloomberg News pointed out, "The scheduled date of President Lai's visit coincided with a diplomatically sensitive period," and explained, "The Trump administration's discussion over whether to allow President Lai's visit to the United States stemmed from concerns that trade negotiations with China and a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping could fall through."

Bloomberg News also cited sources stating that some U.S. and Taiwanese government officials are uneasy because President Lai was unable to visit the United States. They are reportedly concerned that President Trump may adopt an excessively conciliatory attitude toward China in order to secure a summit with President Xi.

The Chinese government, which considers Taiwan part of its territory, opposes official exchanges between the United States and Taiwan. China also objects to the Taiwanese president staying in the United States in transit and meeting with U.S. officials.

At a spokesperson briefing on the 17th, the U.S. State Department was asked about President Lai's planned transit through New York. Quoting Secretary Marco Rubio, the spokesperson indicated a permissive stance, saying, "It is consistent with past practice and fully aligns with our longstanding policy." The United States' subsequent reversal of its position on Taiwan is being criticized by China hardliners and Taiwan supporters as an excessively conciliatory gesture toward China that could provoke backlash.

Laura Rosenberger, former White House National Security Council (NSC) Senior Director for China and Taiwan and known as a China hardliner, emphasized, "It is deeply concerning that some members of the U.S. administration are using the partnership with Taiwan as a bargaining chip in negotiations with China. This could send the wrong signal to China," and added, "As China increasingly takes coercive actions toward Taiwan, the United States must demonstrate unwavering commitment to its established principles of supporting Taiwan."

Previously, the former Joe Biden administration permitted the Taiwanese president's transit through the United States despite opposition from China and endured the resulting escalation of tensions in the Taiwan Strait. President Lai, from November 30 last year, visited Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and Palau, Pacific island countries with diplomatic ties to Taiwan, on a six-night, seven-day trip, during which he also visited U.S. territories Hawaii and Guam. In response, China conducted military drills encircling Taiwan.