China and the US are testing whether their new formula of “constructive strategic stability” can survive their deepest disagreements, as Xi Jinping makes his second high-profile state visit to Washington. After closed-door talks with Donald Trump, Chinese state media said Taiwan was discussed privately, with Beijing again pressing Washington to “oppose” Taiwan independence — a formulation that would go beyond the longstanding US language of “not supporting” it. Xi was also expected to push Trump over US arms sales to Taiwan, citing the 1982 US-China communiqué, even as Ronald Reagan’s accompanying memo tied any reduction in arms sales to Beijing’s continued commitment to a peaceful resolution. What, if anything, has changed in Washington’s Taiwan policy? In this episode, we examine the Trump-Xi summit, Beijing’s pressure over arms sales, and what any shift in US language or policy could mean for Taiwan and the wider Indo-Pacific.
*Recorded on September 25, 2026 at 1pm Taiwan Standard Time
Host/Senior Producer: Yin Khvat
Planner: Miguel Yang
Videographer: Damon Lin
Our guests:
Lai I-chung
- Prospect Foundation President
William Stanton
- Former American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Director
Sean Nottoli
- Danube Institute USA Senior Researcher
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