Bipartisan senators press Rubio to hold firm on Taiwan before Trump-Xi summit
WASHINGTON, DC: Lawmakers warn against any shift in longstanding US policy toward Taiwan as President Donald Trump prepares for high-stakes talks with China’s Xi Jinping.
A bipartisan group of US senators has sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging the Trump administration to maintain America’s longstanding commitments toward Taiwan as President Donald Trump meets Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing.
Senators reaffirm support for Taiwan
The letter, signed by 12 senators from both parties, reaffirmed support for the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, which governs unofficial relations between Washington and Taiwan after the US formally recognized the People’s Republic of China.
Lawmakers stressed that the legislation requires the United States to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself.
“The Taiwan Relations Act requires the United States to provide Taiwan, a critical economic and technological partner, and a thriving democracy, defense articles and services necessary to maintain the island’s self-defense capability,” the senators wrote.
Warning against any policy shift
The lawmakers also highlighted language in the Taiwan Relations Act stating that any attempt to determine Taiwan’s future through non-peaceful means would be considered “a threat to the peace and security of the Western Pacific” and a matter of “grave concern” to the United States.
“Maintaining this commitment is necessary to ensure the credibility of US security commitments to allies and partners in the region and beyond,” the letter stated.
The message reflects growing concern in Congress that Taiwan could become part of broader negotiations between Washington and Beijing during Trump’s summit with Xi, particularly as the administration seeks Chinese cooperation on issues including trade, regional stability, and the ongoing conflict involving Iran.
The letter was signed by senators from both Democratic and Republican parties, including Michael Bennet, John Curtis, Andy Kim, Thom Tillis, Tim Kaine, Jeff Merkley, Chris Van Hollen, Tammy Duckworth, Elissa Slotkin, Brian Schatz and Mitch McConnell.
The bipartisan nature of the letter points to the broad consensus in Washington supporting Taiwan’s security and opposing any unilateral changes to the status quo across the Taiwan Strait.
Trump signals Taiwan will be part of Xi talks
Trump has indicated in recent days that Taiwan will feature prominently in his discussions with Xi during the Beijing summit.
Speaking on Monday, the president sought to project confidence when asked about concerns over a potential Chinese takeover of the self-governing island.
“I think we’ll be fine,” Trump said when questioned about Taiwan.
However, he stopped short of directly endorsing continued US weapons sales to Taiwan, a longstanding source of friction between Washington and Beijing.
Asked whether the United States should continue supplying arms to Taiwan, Trump replied, “Well, I’m going to have that discussion with President Xi.”
Beyond Taiwan, Trump has also signaled that discussions with Xi will focus heavily on China’s economic ties with Iran as Washington attempts to stabilize a fragile ceasefire in the Middle East and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
The president recently noted China’s dependence on oil shipments passing through the waterway and praised Xi’s approach during the crisis.
“He’s been very nice about this,” Trump said last week. “In all fairness, he gets like 60% of his oil from Hormuz, and he’s been, I think he’s been very respectful. We haven’t been challenged by China.”
