Published on
21/05/2026 - 7:49 GMT+2
US President Donald Trump has said he will speak with Taiwan's leader Lai Ching-te as he weighs up a potential multi-billion-dollar arms deal for the island, marking a sharp change in diplomatic procedure.
A US president has not spoken directly with a Taiwanese leader since 1979, when Washington recognised the People’s Republic of China and severed diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Trump said: "I'll speak to him. I speak to everybody. We have that situation very well in hand."
