US allies in Asia are expressing increasing concern that President Donald Trump may weaken Washington’s support for Taiwan during his upcoming summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, as both leaders prepare to meet on September 24. There are fears that Trump might use Taiwan as a bargaining chip in negotiations aimed at securing economic concessions from Beijing, potentially undermining regional stability.
The apprehension among US partners has grown since Trump referred to American arms sales to Taiwan as a “negotiating chip” earlier this year. Taiwan, a democratically governed island claimed by China, has long been a sensitive subject in Sino-American relations. China views Taiwan as a “core interest” and has not ruled out force to achieve unification. US arms sales to the island, including a pending $14 billion package awaiting Trump’s approval, remain a point of contention.
Taiwanese officials have sought to assert their stance ahead of the summit. Shen Yu-chung, a senior Taiwanese official, emphasized hopes that US-China discussions would avoid outcomes detrimental to Taiwan. Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung acknowledged that Xi would likely raise Taiwan during the meeting but reiterated that Washington’s policy on the island had not changed.
Japan has also been actively engaging with the US ahead of the meeting, with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi reportedly seeking opportunities to communicate with Trump. Tokyo is closely monitoring the summit and urges the continuation of established US policy language on Taiwan to prevent the issue from dominating talks. Japan’s government is particularly wary of any perceived softening of US support for Taiwan in exchange for trade concessions, which could embolden Beijing and heighten regional tensions.
Trump has portrayed the summit as a chance to rebalance trade relations between the two global powers. However, Taiwan remains a pivotal and delicate issue. During their last meeting in May, Xi questioned Trump extensively about US arms sales and commitment to defending Taiwan. Despite these concerns, Trump has yet to confirm whether he would defend Taiwan militarily in the event of Chinese aggression, a position that diverges from that of his predecessor Joe Biden.
Experts warn that even minor shifts in US diplomatic language regarding Taiwan could encourage China to take more assertive actions. The United States officially adheres to a “one China” policy, which acknowledges Beijing’s claims without endorsing them, and does not support Taiwan independence. Beijing has consistently urged the US to clearly repudiate any moves toward Taiwanese sovereignty.
The potential consequences of a conflict over Taiwan are significant. Taiwan plays a crucial role in the global economy as the primary producer of advanced semiconductors. Analysts warn that a Chinese military move against Taiwan would disrupt global supply chains and economic stability, highlighting the issue’s international implications.
Chinese officials echo the importance of resolving Taiwan’s status to maintain regional stability, with former envoy Cui Tiankai stating that reunification would benefit US interests. As Trump and Xi prepare to meet, US allies remain watchful, concerned that economic considerations could come at the cost of a longstanding security commitment.