On May 12, US President Donald Trump stated that the outcome of the US-China talks would be “great for unification and peace,” prompting significant concern among Taiwanese media and the DPP administration regarding potential shifts in US policy toward Taiwan. In response, the office of Taiwan’s reginal leader, Lai Ching-te, urgently clarified that the Taiwan authorities were unaware of any discussions involving Taiwan during the negotiations.

According to reports from Reuters and the South China Morning Post, during a White House press conference, President Trump first lauded US diplomatic efforts in mediating the India-Pakistan conflict and facilitating a ceasefire with Yemen’s Houthi rebels. He then addressed the high-level economic and trade talks between the US and China held in Geneva.

“They’ve agreed to open China, fully open China, and I think it’s going to be fantastic for China, I think it’s going to be fantastic for us, and I think it’s going to be great for unification and peace,” Trump said at the White House.

Although Trump did not explicitly mention Taiwan, his remark immediately stirred a wave of concern across the island.
As many as seven sources told Reuters, Trump’s remarks created concern in some government and diplomatic circles in Taiwan about whether U.S. policy towards the island had changed.

Taiwan media outlets, including China Times, United Daily News, and Central News Agency (Taiwan), quickly picked up on the story, running headlines such as “Trump Suddenly Mentions ‘Unification and Peace.’” China Times offered further analysis, noting that the term “unification” can mean “integration,” “unity,” or “reunification,” but is most directly translated as “reunification” in the political context. The report also raised questions over whether Trump was reading from prepared remarks or speaking off the cuff.

In response to mounting speculation, Kuo Ya-hui, spokesperson for the office of Taiwan’s regional leader Lai Ching-te, stated on May 13 that the U.S. side had provided clarification, and based on information currently available to Taiwan authorities, no Taiwan-related topics were discussed during the U.S.-China trade talks. She added that Lai’s administration would “continue to monitor the situation and respond to challenges prudently.” Taiwan’s foreign affairs authorities echoed this position, stating that the U.S. commitment to Taiwan “remains firm and unchanged.”

According to Central News Agency (Taiwan), the U.S. Department of State responded that Trump’s comments were specifically referring to U.S.-China trade relations.

Some on the island, however, were unconvinced by the authorities’ rapid response, calling it an overreaction.

According to China Times, a senior media commentator argued that Lai Ching-te’s administration had overreacted, revealing its deep anxiety. The report noted that Taiwan fears its interests may be compromised in the ongoing U.S.-China negotiations over reciprocal tariffs. The swift response by the administration reflects its concern that Beijing and Washington might reach a preliminary understanding—one that departs from Taipei’s expectation of continued confrontation.

In a commentary published by United Daily News, the author pointed out that “Trump’s policies are like a winding road that leaves the world dizzy.” At a time when Lai’s administration is actively stoking cross-Strait tensions, the sudden shift in Trump’s tariff policy—coupled with his remarks that the deal would be “great for unification and peace”—puts the spotlight on Taipei. “Trump may not be embarrassed, but Lai Ching-te certainly is,” the piece concluded.

Lin Peixiang, a legislator from Taiwan’s opposition Kuomintang (KMT), criticized the episode, suggesting that Trump’s remarks exposed a lack of communication and coordination between the DPP authorities and the U.S. government.

According to Lin, Trump’s comments are beyond the control of the Taiwanese authorities. Whether his future actions might harm Taipei’s interests is also something Lai Ching-te and his administration cannot fully predict. “All they can do is rush to deny it immediately—there’s no other option,” Lin said. He added that the claim that “‘unification and peace’ has nothing to do with Taiwan” sounds more like an attempt at self-deception.

Editor: LQQ