AIT Director Greene: Policy Toward Taiwan Unchanged, Welcomes President Lai's Reiteration of Maintaining Status Quo [Interview]

(CNA, Taipei, 21st, Reporter Yang Yao-Ju) In an exclusive interview with CNA, American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Director Raymond Greene, discussing US-Taiwan relations after the Trump-Xi meeting, emphasized that the policy towards Taiwan remains unchanged. He stressed the high importance of rebalancing the Taiwan Strait by strengthening Taiwan's self-defense capabilities and noted that the U.S. position on arms sales to Taiwan has been conveyed to the Chinese side. He welcomed President Lai's reiteration of maintaining the cross-strait status quo and expressed hope that Beijing would engage with Taiwan's democratically elected leaders without preconditions. U.S. President Donald Trump visited China last week and met with Chinese President Xi Jinping. On his way back to the U.S. aboard Air Force One, Trump told reporters that he had not made any commitments to Xi Jinping regarding the Taiwan issue. Meanwhile, President Lai Ching-te stated via social media that he would defend the status quo of the Republic of China and that there is no issue of Taiwan independence. On the 20th, Trump also stated that he would speak with President Lai. In a written interview with CNA today, AIT Director Raymond Greene noted that the United States welcomes the results of the recent U.S.-China leaders' summit, stating that establishing a stable framework for bilateral relations helps enhance regional security, including in the Taiwan Strait. The clearer the actions and intentions between leaders, the lower the likelihood of misunderstanding and miscalculation. He quoted a White House spokesperson, stating, 'We do not believe there is a conflict between a stable U.S.-China relationship and a strong U.S.-Taiwan partnership, and we will continue to deepen U.S.-Taiwan cooperation in all policy areas.' The U.S. continues to express concern over the gradual erosion of the status quo in the Taiwan Strait and therefore places great importance on rebalancing the strait by strengthening Taiwan's self-defense capabilities. Trump's 'National Security Strategy' states the importance of deterring conflict in the first island chain, especially as the Taiwan Strait is crucial to U.S. security. He emphasized that the U.S. welcomes President Lai's reiteration of Taiwan's long-standing efforts for cross-strait dialogue and maintaining the status quo, a position supported by several of Taiwan's major political parties and the vast majority of its people. The U.S. hopes Beijing will respond in kind, engage with Taiwan's democratically elected leaders without preconditions, and reduce military pressure on Taiwan. Greene also mentioned that Trump has emphasized the risk of any unilateral move to change the status quo leading to a devastating conflict. A cross-strait conflict could cost the global economy up to $10 trillion, about 10% of global GDP. The impact on China and Taiwan would be even more severe, making conflict something to be avoided at all costs. Regarding Trump's comment in a Fox News interview that arms sales to Taiwan are 'good bargaining chips,' Greene responded that Trump and other senior administration officials have clearly expressed that U.S. policy toward Taiwan is unchanged, and this position has been clearly conveyed to the Chinese side.