Trump's reported snub of Taiwan president spurs concerns over deference to China

The Trump admin is reportedly prohibiting Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te from stopping over in New York City while en route to diplomatic meetings in Central America.

President Lai’s public engagements at home continue, as reports emerge the Trump White House barred him from a New York City layover en route to Central America. (Ann Wang/Reuters)

"In consideration of the ongoing rehabilitation efforts in southern Taiwan following a recent typhoon and regional developments including the United States' tariffs, the president currently has no plans to go on an overseas visit," the statement from President Lai said.

According to the Financial Times, which spoke with unnamed sources said to be intimately familiar with the alleged trip, Lai's decision not to travel came after he was informed that he would not be able to stop in New York City on his way to Central America. 

Lai's trip was also reportedly supposed to include a stop in Dallas, but it is unclear if the Trump administration was also planning to bar Lai from stopping there as well, according to the Financial Times.

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News broke Monday afternoon that the Trump administration was allegedly blocking Taiwan's president from making a stop in New York City en route to a diplomatic trip to Central America. However, sources familiar with the matter have indicated no travel plans for Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te have been formally announced.   (Getty Images/Reuters)

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"Denying President Lai a transit is a deeply concerning break with bipartisan precedent and sends a reckless signal to Beijing that our partnership with Taiwan is on the negotiating table," added Democrat Sen. Andy Kim, D-N.J., in a post on X following the news about President Lai's alleged travel. 

"American leadership is now seen as deeply unreliable, with Trump’s fits and starts with Ukraine, NATO allies, and other key partners. I urge President Trump to reverse course and do what presidents of both parties have done and allow a transit, and ask my colleagues in Congress to join me in that call."

News of the Trump administration's decision to prohibit the Taiwanese president from stopping in New York City comes as the president is reportedly feeling out a potential trip to Beijing himself, alongside major U.S. CEOs. Nothing so far has been set in stone regarding Trump's trip, however.

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trumps-reported-snub-taiwan-president-spurs-concerns-over-deference-china