Taiwanese legislators have expressed concern regarding the government’s response and preparations after United States President Donald Trump’s public statements, including plans to speak to President Lai Ching-te (賴清德). DPP Legislator Shen Fa-hui (沈發惠) noted that it would be the first direct high-level dialogue between Taiwan and the U.S. in 40 years.

Secretary-General to the President Pan Men-an (潘孟安) stated this Thursday that the Presidential Office and the National Security Council have been closely monitoring the entire process from before Trump met with Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) to Trump’s return to the U.S., noting they have a considerable understanding of it, and no phone call has been received yet.

Pan said, “If there is a phone call, I will let everyone know. Relations between Taiwan and the U.S. are unimpeded. Whether it’s the U.S. Congress, House of Representatives, Senate, State Department, or Taiwan’s American Institute in Taiwan, the National Security Council, Foreign Ministry, or Presidential Office, all maintain very smooth communication.”

The Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO) responded to media inquiries Wednesday evening, stating that Taiwan and the U.S. maintain good and close communication. They said they will represent Taiwanese society when possible.

A White House official on Wednesday clarified that Trump will make a decision on the US$14 billion arms package for Taiwan in the near future, but did not specify a time frame. The official noted that total arms sales to Taiwan approved by Trump during his first term exceeded those of any other U.S. president. They said U.S. sales to Taiwan during the first year of Trump’s second term exceeded those approved by the Biden administration over four years.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hsiao Kuang-wei (蕭光偉) said President Lai explained he would reflect the voice of Taiwanese society, emphasizing that Taiwan is the guardian of peace across the Taiwan Strait, while China is the disruptor, and expressed that arms purchases from the U.S. would continue.