Ahead of Trump-Xi Talks, Here’s How US-China-Taiwan Tensions Escalated Over Time
Synopsis
Taiwan has once again become the focus of growing tensions between the United States and China ahead of talks between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping in Beijing. China considers Taiwan part of its territory, while Taiwan continues operating with its own democratic government and military. The United States officially follows the One China Policy but still supports Taiwan through arms sales and political ties. Decades of military crises, diplomatic disputes, and growing rivalry have kept the Taiwan issue at the center of global attention, making the upcoming Trump-Xi meeting one of the most closely watched diplomatic events worldwide
When Donald Trump meets Xi Jinping in Beijing this week, Taiwan will be front and centre of their deliberations. It is one of the world’s most dangerous geopolitical dramas that has drawn US support for Taipei and military tensions between China and its rival into an era of growing civil unrest in Chinese-ruled Hong Kong.
Key Highlights
- Taiwan is likely to play a huge role in Trump’s upcoming discussions with Xi Jinping in Beijing.
- The US has long been a military and political supporter of Taiwan.
- Weekend military drills and arms sales in the Taiwan Strait have escalated tensions.
- Taiwan is still the biggest implicit risk to US-China relations.
How the Taiwan Dispute Began
Taiwan has remained one of the most important and sensitive issues between the United States and China for more than 75 years.
China considers Taiwan part of its territory and insists the island should eventually come under Beijing’s control. Taiwan, however, operates with its own government, military, and democratic elections, and most people on the island support maintaining the current system.
The United States officially follows the “One China Policy,” recognising Beijing as the government of China. At the same time, Washington continues to support Taiwan through arms sales and political ties.
As President Donald Trump prepares for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, Taiwan is once again expected to dominate discussions. Here’s a closer look at the major events that have shaped tensions between the United States, China, and Taiwan over the decades.
Timeline of Key Events in US-China-Taiwan Relations
1949: Mao Zedong leads his Communist Party to victory against the Republic of China government of Chiang Kai-shek, who evacuates with his followers to Taiwan and is re-established as a government in Taiwan.
1950: Taiwan is allied with the U.S. during the Korean War. Washington flies naval forces in the Taiwan Strait.
1954-1955: First Taiwan Strait Crisis. China shells Taiwanese-held islands near its coast.
1958: The Second Taiwan Strait Crisis. China bombards the islands of Kinmen and Matsu; Taiwan responds with US-supplied weapons.
1979: The US acknowledges Beijing under the One China Policy, terminating formal diplomatic relations with Taipei. Deng Xiaoping advocates for peaceful reunification and the one country, two systems.
1979: The US Congress legalises contacts with Taiwan by passing the Taiwan Relations Act, committing itself to helping Taipei defend itself and emphasising that any future relationship between Taiwan and China should be resolved peacefully.
1982: U.S. President Ronald Reagan commits the Six Assurances to Taiwan.
Democracy, Elections and Military Pressure
1995: Taiwan’s President, Lee Teng-hui visits the United States, escalating tensions and angering Beijing
1954–1966: Taiwan experiences its first direct presidential election. China launches missiles alongside Taiwan and the US deploys aircraft carriers to the region.
2000: Chen Shui-bian and the Democratic Progressive Party gain power for the first time.
2005: China enacts an anti-secession law declaring Taiwan independence a crime under Chinese law. Elections also take place in China where the leaders of the Communist Party and Taiwan’s Kuomintang meet for the first time since 1949.
May 2008: Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou invests in tourist and direct flight exchanges with China.
2016: Tsai Ing-wen wins Taiwan’s presidential election on a platform of limiting Beijing’s influence. China subsequently suspended formal exchanges with Taiwan.
Trump, Pelosi and the New China Drills
December 2016: President-elect Donald Trump speaks with Tsai Ing-wen over the phone, resulting in a decades-old diplomatic precedent being broken.
March 2018: Trump signs a law promoting more US visits to Taiwan by its top officials.
July 2022: US President Joe Biden speaks with Xi Jinping, claims US policies on Taiwan are unchanged.
August 2022: Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi defies China and travels to Taiwan. In reply, China holds large drills around the island.
April 2023: China conducts three days of military drills, following Tsai Ing-wen’s meeting with former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in Los Angeles.
May 2024: China conducts punishment military exercises following Lai Ching-te taking the presidential office in Taiwan.
December 2025: Trump administration approves arms sale to Taiwan, worth $11bn. China then holds its biggest military drills yet in and around Taiwan.
Why Taiwan Remains So Important
Taiwan continues to be one of the most sensitive and dangerous issues in relations between the United States and China. China insists reunification is necessary, while Taiwan wants to preserve its democratic system and self-governance. The United States continues to support Taiwan, making the island one of the main sources of tension between the world’s two largest powers.
FAQs
- What is the significance of Taiwan in US-China relations?
As the US continues to support Taiwan’s defence and political system, as long as China lays claim to it.
- What is the One China Policy?
It also tells the US policy that in return for recognition of Beijing, the US will hold no formal ties with Taiwan.
- Why are tensions around Taiwan rising again?
The political support for Taiwan from Washington and US arms sales, together with military drills on both sides have heightened tensions.
- What will Trump-Xi likely talk about?
Beijing will expect to persuade the US to ease its backing for Taiwan in return.
Follow Inspirepreneur Magazine for daily global business news.
At Inspirepreneurs Magazine, covering entrepreneurship, business failures, and the human stories behind the world's most ambitious founders. She writes at the intersection of strategy and storytelling.
