Taiwan’s President, William Lai Ching-te, has cancelled his planned trip to Latin America after the United States blocked a stopover in New York, according to a report by the Financial Times.
Lai was supposed to visit Paraguay, Guatemala, and Belize in early August, with brief stops in New York and Dallas on his way to and from the region. These “transit stops” are a long-standing method used by Taiwanese presidents to meet unofficially with U.S. officials since the U.S. does not officially recognize Taiwan as a separate country.
However, U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly opposed the stopover in New York, leading to the cancellation of the entire trip. While Lai’s office never formally confirmed the travel plans, it later said the president decided to stay in Taiwan to focus on tariff negotiations with the U.S. and manage recovery efforts after a recent typhoon in the south of the island.
Trump’s move comes at a delicate time. He is said to be considering a trip to China, although he stressed on social media that he is not seeking a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, but would go only if invited.
“I may go to China, but it would only be at the invitation of President Xi, which has been extended,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
There is speculation that Trump could visit China around the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea, which will be held from October 31 to November 1.
Meanwhile, U.S. and Chinese officials are meeting in Stockholm this week to try and reach a deal on tariffs before a current trade “truce” expires on August 12. Talks are tough, with many issues still unresolved, such as export controls and technology access.
China has been very sensitive about Taiwan. In 2023, it responded to a U.S. stopover by then-Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen with military drills in the Taiwan Strait. Beijing still considers Taiwan a part of its territory and opposes any international recognition of its government.
The cancellation of Lai’s trip reflects the delicate balance between U.S.-Taiwan ties and America’s efforts to manage its relationship with China — especially during Trump’s push to end the ongoing tariff war.
Trump Blocks Taiwan Leader’s U.S. Visit as He Eyes China Trip
Diplomacy shifts as Taiwan cancels a key tour. Trump denies seeking a summit with Xi — but a possible visit to China looms. With trade talks ticking and geopolitical stakes high, find out what’s next for Taiwan, China, and the U.S. on the world stage.
