Trump Prepares to Call Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te Ahead of Decision on $14 Billion Arms Sale

President Trump on May 21, 2026 stated he is preparing to speak with Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te as part of his deliberations over whether to approve a $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan. Trump said he would have a 'very good conversation' with President Lai before making the decision, describing the call as part of standard diplomatic consultations. The proposed sale — which reportedly includes advanced air defense systems, precision munitions, and other military equipment — would be one of the largest arms transfers to Taiwan since the Taiwan Relations Act was enacted in 1979. A direct phone call between a US president and Taiwan's leader is diplomatically sensitive given the US maintains a 'one China' policy and formal diplomatic relations only with Beijing, not Taipei. Trump has historically taken a more transactional approach to Taiwan policy than his predecessors, at various points suggesting Taiwan should pay more for its own defense. The announcement follows heightened cross-strait tensions and comes amid the broader US-China diplomatic engagement including the May 14-15 Beijing summit. Trump also remarked on May 21 that 'I'm right now at 99% in Israel. I could run for prime minister' — underscoring his close relationship with the Israeli public amid the US-Iran war.