'I speak to everybody': Trump says he will speak to Taiwan's president in diplomatic shift

In an unprecedented move that signals a dramatic shift in U.S. foreign policy, President Donald Trump has declared his intention to speak directly with Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te. This decision, announced during comments to reporters, breaks with decades of diplomatic protocol and is likely to provoke a strong reaction from Beijing.

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I speak to everybody. We have that situation very well in hand. I'll speak to him.

Trump's statement comes on the heels of his visit to China, where he received a direct warning from President Xi Jinping regarding the sensitive nature of Taiwan. Xi urged "extreme caution," highlighting China's long-standing claim over the island and its desire for "reunification."

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In addition to being committed to maintaining the stable status quo in the Taiwan Strait, President Lai is also happy to discuss these matters with President Trump.

Taiwan's foreign ministry, while expressing willingness to engage, emphasized its commitment to maintaining the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. Meanwhile, China has firmly reiterated its opposition to U.S. arms sales and any official interactions between the U.S. and Taiwan, urging Washington to "stop sending wrong signals to the separatist forces of Taiwan independence."

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Taiwan would be a 'very dangerous situation' if not handled correctly.

This development underscores the complex and delicate balance the U.S. navigates in its relationship with both China and Taiwan. The U.S. officially acknowledges China's claims but maintains robust informal ties with Taiwan, bound by the Taiwan Relations Act to provide for its defense. Trump's willingness to engage directly with Taipei, bypassing established channels, introduces a new and potentially volatile dynamic to cross-strait relations.

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China urged the United States to 'handle the Taiwan issue with extreme caution and stop sending wrong signals to the separatist forces of Taiwan independence.'