The United States has canceled a planned meeting with Taiwan’s defence minister, Wellington Koo, deepening anxieties in Taipei over Washington’s commitment to supporting the island amid rising tensions with China. The meeting, originally scheduled for June and intended to include defence discussions with Elbridge Colby, the Pentagon’s third-ranking official, was called off at the last minute.
US officials cited ongoing strikes on Iran as the official reason for the cancellation. However, sources familiar with the matter revealed other concerns played a significant role. Several US officials worried that hosting Koo’s visit could jeopardize delicate trade negotiations with China and potentially undermine President Donald Trump’s efforts to arrange a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The US and Taiwan are currently discussing alternative dates for the meeting, but Washington reportedly prefers a lower-level delegation than Koo, heightening Taiwanese concerns that the Trump administration is reluctant to antagonize Beijing. The cancellation followed a recent phone call between Trump and Xi, fueling speculation that the US president may be yielding to Chinese pressure.
Allowing Taiwan’s defence minister to visit Washington would have signaled a strong stance against Chinese claims of sovereignty over Taiwan. However, under long-standing, unwritten US policy, Taiwan’s defence minister has not been permitted to visit the Washington area since the US switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979.
Taiwan’s de facto embassy in Washington declined to comment on military exchanges, and the White House also did not respond. The Pentagon was approached for comment.
The timing of the cancellation is politically sensitive for Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te. The White House recently denied Lai permission to transit through New York en route to Central America after concerns raised by the Chinese embassy in the US. Meanwhile, an opposition-led effort to recall more than half of the Kuomintang parliamentary contingent failed, dealing a blow to Lai’s political standing.
Analysts warn the US decision risks weakening Taiwan’s position. Amanda Hsiao, China director at Eurasia Group, said the cancellations “will further hurt [Lai’s] standing at home” amid political turmoil. Ryan Hass of the Brookings Institution noted growing unease in Taipei that Trump is prioritizing easing tensions with Beijing ahead of his anticipated meeting with Xi Jinping this fall. China expert Evan Medeiros called the move “very dangerous,” warning it “weakens deterrence of China, unnerves Taiwan leaders, and undermines resolve at home.”
Despite these setbacks, Taiwan is actively seeking to strengthen its defence capabilities. Last month, it initiated a request to the US for permission to purchase $20 billion in American munitions and weapons, with sales planned for next year. However, the timing of these arms deals may be jeopardized by Washington’s focus on maintaining smooth trade talks and high-level relations with China.
Rupert Hammond-Chambers, president of the US-Taiwan Business Council, highlighted historical difficulties in scheduling politically sensitive meetings with Taiwan to avoid upsetting China, noting “massive delays” in past administrations.
Taiwan is also attempting to secure a tariff agreement with the US before an August 1 deadline that would prevent a 32% levy on its exports. However, US officials appear more focused on achieving a trade deal with China. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer recently concluded “constructive” talks with Chinese counterparts in Stockholm.
Dennis Wilder, former top CIA China analyst, pointed out that Taiwan’s influence within the US administration has waned compared to earlier in Trump’s presidency, when officials like former Deputy National Security Adviser Matt Pottinger and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo vocally supported Taiwan, with Pompeo even advocating for official recognition.
The Washington Post first reported the cancellation of the defence meeting.
