Ep 67 - What exactly is US policy toward Taiwan?

About this episode

This week on the Trivium China Podcast, host Andrew Polk is joined by Trivium’s Head of Geopolitical Analysis Joe Mazur to unpack one of the most consequential – and potentially misunderstood – issues emerging from the recent Xi-Trump summit: Taiwan. While both Washington and Beijing have publicly insisted that little changed during the meeting, Joe argues that several comments from President Trump may signal a meaningful shift in how the White House approaches Taiwan – one that could introduce greater uncertainty into an already delicate cross-strait equilibrium. The conversation explores: • Why Trump's comments on Taiwan have generated concern despite official claims of policy continuity • Whether the administration is beginning to treat arms sales to Taiwan as a broader negotiating tool in US-China relations • How Beijing may interpret Trump's increasingly transactional approach to Taiwan • Why even a simple phone call between Trump and Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te could trigger a major response from China • The key signals analysts should watch for to determine whether Beijing's Taiwan policy is truly changing Then, in the second half of the episode, Andrew is joined by Triviu