Trump Blocks Taiwan President’s US Transit Over China

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has canceled a planned trip to Paraguay, Guatemala, and Belize after the Trump administration reportedly denied him permission to stop over in New York, following objections from China. Taiwan's presidential office cited typhoon recovery and tariff negotiations with the US as reasons, but multiple sources indicate the US refusal was driven by concerns about disrupting trade talks with China and a potential Trump-Xi summit. The move has sparked concerns among Taiwan’s supporters that President Trump may be softening his stance on China. China officially reiterated its opposition to US-Taiwan exchanges and urged compliance with the one-China principle. Taipei’s foreign ministry denied an official US block, but Latin American diplomatic sources confirmed the trip had been expected and is now canceled. The incident highlights the US's careful balancing of relations with China and Taiwan.