The Taiwanese government said on Thursday that President Lai Ching-te would be happy to speak with the US president Donald Trump, in what would constitute an unprecedented exchange between American and Taiwanese leaders since 1979.
No date has been announced for a possible meeting, which could increase tensions between Washington and Beijing, with China claiming Taiwan as part of its territory.
The American and Taiwanese presidents have not spoken directly to each other since the United States transferred its diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979.
On Wednesday, Trump reiterated that he planned to speak with Lai, for the second time in a week, dispelling speculation that his previous remarks might have been a mistake following his summit in Beijing with the Chinese president. Xi Jinping.
Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated that Lai would maintain the position expressed the previous day: according to him, China is "undermining peace" in the Taiwan Strait while his government wishes to preserve the status quo.
"In addition to his commitment to maintaining a stable status quo in the Taiwan Strait, President Lai is also willing to discuss these issues with President Trump," the ministry added, without providing further details.
This possible conversation also comes as Washington considers a major arms program for Taiwan, a particularly sensitive issue in Sino-American relations.
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