Taiwan feels sidelined as US and China stabilize ties

US: The United States, led by President Donald Trump, is pursuing diplomatic engagement with China to stabilize their bilateral relationship through high-level summits and agreements on trade and strategic issues. Recent efforts include a May 2026 meeting in Beijing and an upcoming summit in Washington focused on extending a trade truce. These initiatives have raised questions in Taiwan about shifts in US policy toward the island amid the broader push for detente. China: The People's Republic of China, under President Xi Jinping, is engaging with the United States to ease tensions and manage contentious issues such as trade and Taiwan. Recent developments include agreements from the May 2026 Beijing summit and preparations for Xi's visit to Washington to advance constructive strategic stability. In the context of this news, these efforts are seen as potentially sidelining Taiwan's concerns during the stabilization process. Taiwan: Taiwan, the self-governed democratic island claimed by China, depends on US support for its security while closely monitoring developments in US-China relations. Its people are expressing uncertainty about how ongoing diplomatic stabilization efforts between the two powers will affect its position and autonomy. The current focus on US-China ties has left Taiwanese observers feeling sidelined from key discussions. Security: The Taiwan issue continues to feature prominently in US-China discussions, with US arms support to the island viewed as a potential element in broader negotiations. Diplomacy: US President Trump is hosting Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Washington this week for a summit aimed at extending a trade truce and managing strategic stability. Geopolitics: US allies in Asia are voicing concerns that Taiwan could be treated as a bargaining chip in the ongoing efforts to stabilize US-China relations.