WP: Trump eases China stance amid trade talks, Taiwan tensions

The Trump administration has taken a series of conciliatory steps towards Beijing as trade negotiations intensify and the prospect of a summit between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping looms.

In recent weeks, the White House has pressed Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te to cancel stopovers in U.S. cities, delay key defence meetings with Taipei, and soften proposed export controls on China, moves that have alarmed critics across party lines, Caliber.Az reports, citing The Washington Post.

“The president cares more about American businesses getting access to China’s market than he seems to about national security concerns with Beijing,” said Michael Sobolik of the Hudson Institute.

A planned August visit by President Lai, which included stops in Dallas and New York City, was shelved after the administration imposed severe restrictions, according to three sources familiar with the decision.

Beijing, which opposes any official U.S. engagement with Taiwan, had lobbied Washington to discourage the trip.

“These concessions send a dangerous signal that America’s approach to Taiwan is negotiable,” said Ely Ratner, a former senior defence official under President Biden. “That will only lead to more Chinese pressure and coercion.”

A separate June visit by Taiwan’s Defence Minister Wellington Koo was also cancelled after a call between Xi and Trump, in which Xi reportedly urged the U.S. to scale back Taiwan-related engagements.

Meanwhile, the administration has yet to approve a Pentagon proposal to send additional military aid to Taiwan.

Trade discussions concluded in Stockholm this week, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stating the president would determine whether to extend the current trade truce. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly emphasised Trump’s focus on “advancing American interests” and curbing fentanyl exports.

The administration also reversed a decision to block Nvidia’s sale of its H20 AI chip to China after lobbying by CEO Jensen Huang. Lawmakers and experts from both parties warned the move risks boosting China’s military capabilities.

“We believe this move represents a strategic misstep,” said 20 national security experts in a letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.

Other shifts include the dilution of language in a Commerce Department notice targeting Huawei chips. The wording was softened after concerns that it could disrupt trade talks.

The moves follow tit-for-tat actions, including Chinese curbs on rare-earth exports in response to U.S. tariffs.

Trump has hinted at a future visit to China, stating: “I may go to China, but it would only be at the invitation of President Xi, which has been extended. Otherwise, no interest!”

By Aghakazim Guliyev