Overview

• President Trump’s administration declined to approve Lai Ching-te’s proposed stopover in New York, citing China’s objections during sensitive U.S.–China trade negotiations
• Taiwan’s Presidential Office said Lai postponed his tour of diplomatic allies Paraguay, Guatemala and Belize and currently has no plans for overseas visits
• U.S. State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce emphasized that no formal travel itinerary had been submitted and that high-level Taiwan transits remain routine under longstanding policy
• Bipartisan figures such as former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi warned the decision signals U.S. willingness to yield to Beijing and could undermine support for Taiwan
• U.S. and Chinese trade teams convened in Stockholm on July 28 to extend a fragile tariff truce that could pave the way for a Trump–Xi summit later this year