Office of the President responds to media reports concerning President Tsai's recent interview with Reuters
Presidential Office Spokesperson Huang Chung-yen (黃重諺) today addressed media reports concerning President Tsai Ing-wen's recent interview with Reuters. On the possibility of another phone call with the president of the US, he said given the strong mutual trust between Taiwan and the US, it was understandable the U.S. has its own priorities in the handling of regional affairs.
Questioned during the interview on April 27 about whether there will be further conversation with President Trump, President Tsai said she would not exclude the possibility, but it must depend on the overall situation, as well as the U.S. government's considerations on regional affairs. The full text of the interview makes this clear. However, media coverage on this has been inaccurate and misleading. Immediately following the publication of the Reuters story, the government reached out to all sides to ensure there would be no misunderstanding.
Mr. Huang said that according to the transcript, President Tsai's response to the Reuters question was: "Of course, we hope to have more direct communications with the US government on important issues at crucial times. While we will not exclude the possibility of another phone conversation with President Trump, this will depend on the overall situation, as well as the US government's considerations on regional affairs."
Finally, Mr. Huang expressed the president's view that while the government should not exclude different possibilities in light of Taiwan's difficult international situation, it should still take into account global events and considerations by different parties in order to pursue Taiwan's best interests.