Trump, Xi likely to discuss Taiwan next week, US says

U.S. officials say Taiwan is expected to be a key topic in upcoming talks between President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping, with Washington stressing the importance of avoiding any destabilizing events in the Indo-Pacific region. The discussions come amid rising tensions over Beijing’s claims on Taiwan and growing military pressure in the area.

Gerardo Gomez/Reuters

May 06, 2026

Trump, Xi likely to discuss Taiwan next week, US says

FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping talk as they leave after a bilateral meeting at Gimhae International Airport, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, in Busan, South Korea, October 30, 2025.

Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters

Taiwan is likely to be a topic of conversation between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping when they meet next week, said Secretary of ⁠State Marco Rubio on Tuesday (May 5).

Rubio told a White House press briefing that the United States doesn’t need any destabilizing events to occur with regard to Taiwan.

"I'm sure Taiwan will be a topic of conversation; it always is,” Rubio said. “I think both countries understand that it is in neither one of our interests to see anything destabilizing happen in that part of the world. We don't need any destabilizing events to occur with regards to Taiwan or anywhere in the Indo Pacific."

Trump is set to visit Beijing on May 14 and 15.

Taiwan is facing rising military pressure from Beijing, which claims the democratically governed island as its own territory. The United States is Taiwan's most important international backer and arms supplier, to the constant anger of Beijing.

Rubio also told reporters that he hopes China tells Iran what it is doing in the Strait of Hormuz is causing Tehran to be globally isolated.

-Gerardo Gomez/Reuters