by Peter Koenig, Global Research:
Update as of 17 May 2026, 10:28 AM:
The White House reported productive discussions on keeping the Strait of Hormuz open, expanding U.S. market access in China, and continuing high‑level talks while stressing that core U.S. Taiwan policy remains unchanged. Xinhua’s reported the meeting as advancing a “new vision” for strategic stability, stating generally positive economic outcomes from team‑level talks, and warned that mishandling Taiwan could lead to serious consequences.
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It appears that Taiwan remains the clear sticking point — both sides signaled strong, contradictory positions. Tariff concessions have been discussed but not presented as a comprehensive package.
Taiwan
U.S. officials publicly insist core U.S. Taiwan policy is unchanged, while China stressed Taiwan’s centrality and rightly so warned the U.S. to be cautious on arms deliveries and other moves. President Xi framed mishandling Taiwan as risking clashes, so Taipei remains the central unresolved strategic friction.
President Trump’s position on Taiwan may have to remain rather inflexible because of his Republican base in Congress which largely would like to see an independent Taiwan, as they do not really understand Taiwan’s historic century-old connection with mainland China. Trump is facing mid-term elections in November 2026 and may risk losing a majority in both chambers of Congress. This could explain his “cautious” approach, no concessions on the surface, well knowing that Taiwan has been and is an integral part of China.
Iran / Hormuz and Tariffs
This visit’s public statements focused on trade, Iran / Hormuz, and strategic stability. The Strait of Hormuz is to stay open. As to tariffs, there have been discrete concessions and talks (e.g., targeted tariff adjustments and team‑level economic commitments in earlier encounters), but no single sweeping tariff deal was publicly confirmed in official statements.
