Cheng Li-wun, the chairwoman of Taiwan’s largest opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT), has expressed her openness to meeting U.S. President Donald Trump during her upcoming visit to the United States. Cheng’s visit is part of a two-week trip that follows her recent meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in April.
Diplomatic Context
Since the severing of formal diplomatic ties between Taiwan and the United States in 1979, no Taiwanese leader has met with a sitting U.S. president. Cheng, however, emphasized her willingness to engage with influential leaders who can contribute to peace, stating, “Anything that is helpful to peace, I am willing to do; anyone who is helpful to peace, I am willing to meet.”
Cheng’s potential meeting with President Trump would mark a significant diplomatic engagement, as she seeks to strengthen ties with the U.S. amid ongoing tensions with China. The White House has not yet commented on the possibility of such a meeting.
China-Taiwan Relations
China continues to assert its claim over Taiwan, labeling Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te as a “separatist” and refusing dialogue. Cheng, however, remains optimistic about improving China-U.S. relations, particularly after the recent meeting between Trump and Xi in Beijing.
During her U.S. visit, Cheng plans to meet with lawmakers and U.S. officials, though she has not disclosed specific names due to confidentiality. Her agenda includes discussions on Taiwan’s defense and the importance of dialogue with China to prevent military conflict.
Defense Spending Debate
While the Kuomintang supports Taiwan’s defense spending, it recently reduced a government proposal to increase military expenditure by $40 billion. The U.S. has backed Taiwan’s defense enhancements, particularly in areas like drones and domestically-produced equipment, which were affected by the KMT’s cuts.
Cheng emphasized that Taiwan’s defense strategy should not solely rely on military hardware but also on diplomatic efforts to “thoroughly eliminate any possibility of military conflict or war.”
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
