Trump Calls China-Russia Summit a "Good Thing," Hints at Call With Taiwan President

[Financial News] U.S. President Donald Trump said on Aug. 20 local time that the meeting between the leaders of China and Russia was a good thing. He also said he would speak directly with Taiwan's president for the first time since the United States established diplomatic ties with China.
Trump made the remarks while speaking with White House reporters on Aug. 20, referring to the summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin visited China for the 25th time that day and met with Xi. Trump said of the meeting, "I think it's a good thing," adding, "I get along well with both of them."
He said Xi had told him about plans to meet with Putin, and added that he was not sure whether China's welcome for Putin was as good as the welcome he received. Putin visited China four days after Trump's state visit to the country.
When asked on Aug. 20 whether he planned to call Taiwan President Lai Ching-te regarding U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, Trump said, "I will talk to him," and added, "We will work out the Taiwan issue." He did not specify when the call would take place, but said, "I talk to anybody." He also said he had a very good meeting with Xi.
If Trump speaks directly with Lai, it is likely to provoke Beijing sharply. Since the United States established diplomatic relations with China in 1979 and ended official ties with Taiwan, no sitting U.S. president has spoken directly with a sitting Taiwan president.
Trump previously spoke with then-Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen in December 2016, shortly before taking office for his first term, while he was president-elect. Although the call took place before he entered office, the Chinese government strongly protested, saying it had lodged a serious complaint with the United States.


pjw@fnnews.com Park Jong-won Reporter