On Brief Stop in U.S., Taiwan President Sends Signal to Both China and Trump
In Hawaii, Lai Ching-te indicates Taipei isn’t seeking war with China, even as it counts on U.S. support to deter Beijing
HONOLULU—On the first day of a highly sensitive visit to the U.S., Taiwan President Lai Ching-te sent a firm but conciliatory message to both China and the incoming Trump administration: While Taipei doesn’t seek a war with Beijing, it is counting on U.S. support to deter any aggression from its larger neighbor.
“Peace is priceless, and war has no winners, we have to fight, fight together to prevent war,” Lai said at a speech in Honolulu, in the presence of members of Hawaii’s congressional delegation, former U.S. officials and state lawmakers.
Lai’s two-day stopover in Hawaii is part of a Pacific tour that is his first international trip as president. While the U.S. doesn’t have formal relations with Taipei—having severed them in 1979 when Washington established ties with Beijing—the U.S. is Taiwan’s staunchest ally.
As a result, Taiwan officials visit the U.S. in what are officially referred to as transits, careful arrangements between Washington and Taipei to allow its leaders to engage with each other on American soil.
Lai’s transit comes as the threat of Chinese aggression looms—Beijing condemned the trip and could launch military drills near Taiwan in response—and as questions swirl around the support the Trump administration would offer Taipei in case of an invasion.
The choreography of Lai’s trip reflected the delicate balance Taiwan must strike, maintaining the support of the U.S. while not provoking China. The Chinese Communist government, which considers Taiwan a part of China despite having never ruled there, has pledged to take it by force if necessary. Beijing opposes any official communication between Washington and Taipei.
Earlier in the day, the Taiwanese president paid tribute to American soldiers at a World War II memorial marking the 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, a stark reminder of the dangers of a war of aggression. And in a speech he gave before departing Taiwan, Lai emphasized Taiwan’s democratic values—an implicit rebuke to China’s system.
“The world can see that Taiwan is not only a model of democracy but also a key force in promoting global peace, stability and prosperity,” he said.
The choice of Lai’s itinerary highlights the support that Taiwan hopes to receive from the U.S. in case of a Chinese invasion. Lai will also stop in Guam; together with Hawaii, the island is home to American military installations that could be involved in any conflict over Taiwan.
Not far from Pearl Harbor sits the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, the American unified combat command for the region, part of a dozen key military installations across the state.
Lai avoided a visit to the U.S. mainland that could have generated more friction with Beijing during the current presidential transition. In 2023, then Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen conducted a tour of the U.S. that brought her to California and New York, where she met with a bipartisan group of senators, as well as then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R., Calif.). China denounced the visit.
The U.S. provides Taiwan with vital defensive assistance by selling it weapons, and President Biden has promised to support the island democracy in the event of a Chinese invasion.
The day before Lai’s trip, the departing Biden administration approved a $320 million sale of spare parts and advanced radars for U.S.-made F-16 jets, along with an additional $65 million sale of improved tactical communications equipment.
In response, China’s Foreign Ministry expressed strong opposition to the arms sales and said it has lodged a complaint with Washington.
“This sends the wrong signal to ‘Taiwan independence’ separatists, harms U.S.-China relations, and undermines the stability of the Taiwan Strait,” the ministry said, vowing to take countermeasures.
Over the past three days, China has sent more than 60 warplanes and several additional warships near Taiwan, according to Taiwan’s Defense Ministry. It also conducted a new round of joint combat-readiness patrols the day before Lai’s departure for the Pacific.
In a rare video directly addressing China’s People’s Liberation Army, Taiwan’s military showcased its jet fighters and warships firing missiles, vowing to “safeguard democracy” and saying it is ready to confront “peace disrupters threatening the region.”
“If someone tries to disrupt regional stability or take away Taiwan’s democracy and freedom, we’ll stand firm and say no,” says a narrator, as text on screen refers to the Chinese army.
Upon landing at Honolulu International Airport, Lai was greeted on the plane by Ingrid Larson, managing director of the American Institute in Taiwan’s Washington office—the U.S. office that handles ties with Taiwan. Hawaii Gov. Josh Green also met him.
On Saturday afternoon, Lai visited the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, his first visit to a U.S. government agency during this trip. According to Lai’s spokeswoman, the aim was to strengthen collaboration with the U.S. on disaster resilience. Since he took office in May, ramping up civil-defense preparedness—including a response to Chinese aggression—has been one of Lai’s key priorities.
During his Pacific tour, Lai is scheduled to visit the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu and Palau—three of Taiwan’s 12 official remaining diplomatic allies. The number of countries that have maintained official relations with Taiwan has diminished over the years, sometimes under pressure from Beijing.
Write to Joyu Wang at joyu.wang@wsj.com