U.S. Cancels Taiwan Defense Meeting as Trade Talks with China Take Priority

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The United States recently canceled a planned defense meeting with Taiwan’s Defense Minister Wellington Koo, raising concern in Taipei over a possible shift in Washington’s diplomatic priorities. The meeting, set for June with the U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby was abruptly canceled as high‑stakes trade negotiations with China intensified.

The administration’s official reason cited increased military activity in the Middle East, though unnamed sources suggest the cancellation was also motivated by a wish to avoid upsetting Beijing ahead of critical trade talks and a prospective Trump‑Xi summit.

Taiwanese officials were reportedly unsettled by the cancellation, viewing it as a troubling indication that the U.S. may be placing economic interests above its security commitments. The cancellation followed Washington’s earlier rejection of a planned transit stop in New York by Taiwanese President Lai Ching‑te, fueling Taipei’s anxiety over what it perceives as a softening U.S. posture toward China.

Analysts warn that such diplomatic signals could weaken U.S. deterrence in the Taiwan Strait. Evan Medeiros, a former national security adviser, cautioned that the cancellation could send dangerous mixed signals to allies and adversaries.

Taiwan is reportedly negotiating a multibillion‑dollar arms package with Washington, although figures range between $7 billion and $10 billion, and is seeking tariff relief from proposed U.S. reciprocal tariffs of roughly 32 percent. U.S. trade officials have paused most tariffs on Taiwanese goods for 90 days while high‑level talks continue. These negotiations, ongoing in Washington, involve Taiwanese leaders, including Vice Premier Cheng Li‑Chun.

U.S. officials indicate the defense meeting may be rescheduled at a lower level of engagement. For Taiwan, the abrupt cancellation has heightened concerns over reliability and the depth of U.S. security commitment amid increasing regional complexity.