Taiwan officials’ reported US travel curbs raise questions over ties

Reports that Taiwanese officials were asked to scale back visits to Washington have raised questions about the strength of Taiwan’s ties with the United States, according to the South China Morning Post. The New York Times reported that some Taiwanese officials travelling to the United States had been told by officials in the Trump administration to reduce visits to research groups in Washington. The report has prompted debate in Taiwan over whether its relationship with Washington remains as firm as Taipei has maintained.

The development came as US President Donald Trump prepared to host Chinese President Xi Jinping for a summit. The supplied material does not give a date for the meeting or detail its agenda. It also does not identify the Taiwanese officials involved, say how many were affected, or explain the reason given for the reported requests.

The available account records the reported travel guidance and the resulting political discussion but provides no official confirmation or response from the US or Taiwanese governments.