Ahead of Xi meeting, White House aides worry what Trump will say about Taiwan

Some of President Donald Trump’s aides have advised him against shifting the U.S. position on Taiwan to favor China with Chinese President Xi Jinping this week.

WASHINGTON — Some of President Donald Trump’s aides have advised him against shifting the U.S. position on independence for Taiwan to favor China, according to four people with knowledge of the discussions, ahead of his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping this week.

The aides have privately expressed concern that Trump, who is pushing to reach a sweeping trade deal with China, may choose to ignore their advice, the people with knowledge of the discussions said. They said they worry that Trump could walk away from long-standing U.S. policy on Taiwan or more subtly shift the U.S. position by framing it with new language.

“Everyone is holding their breath,” one of the people with knowledge of the discussions said.

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Stocks hit record highs over hopes of China trade deal00:47Administration officials have told Trump to expect Xi to seek a public declaration from him that the United States “opposes” Taiwan’s independence, the people with knowledge of the discussions said. Xi has for months pushed for a shift in the U.S. position on Taiwan from the current one, which is that the United States does “not support” its independence, to saying the United States “opposes” it.