00:00A highly anticipated meeting between the U.S. and China's leaders, originally planned for later this month, could be postponed.
00:10U.S. President Donald Trump says he needs to be around to manage the war with Iran.
00:15I'd love to, but because of the war, I want to be here. I have to be here, I feel.
00:22And so we've requested that we delay it a month or so, and I'm looking forward to being with him.
00:28We have a very good relationship, but because of the war.
00:31While Beijing has not confirmed the timing of the meeting, it did say it's in touch with Washington about Trump's
00:38visit.
00:40Here in Taiwan, there are questions about whether a major U.S. arms sale to the country could be impacted
00:47by a delayed summit.
00:48After Reuters reported, it could be signed after Trump's trip to China.
00:53But Taiwan's defense minister says he has not been notified of any delays to U.S. arms sales, and they're
00:59communicating with the U.S.
01:01Taipei seems to be more concerned with the meeting itself.
01:05Taiwan's problem in the past, last year in the APEC, was not in the meeting.
01:21Trump's request to delay his trip comes as he urges China and a number of other countries to help secure
01:29the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route that normally sees shipment of about a fifth of the world's oil.
01:35But which Iran has effectively blocked in retaliation for U.S. and Israeli attacks.
01:41U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Besant, however, told CNBC News that Trump seeking a delay is not to pressure Beijing
01:48to unblock the Strait.
01:50But when asked about Trump's request, China, which has friendly relations with Iran, appeared to avoid the question.
02:11China isn't the only one.
02:13Many countries, even those with close ties to the U.S., seem reluctant to get involved.
02:20Japan has suggested it has no plans to send Navy ships to the Strait.
02:25South Korea said it needed to carefully consider the request, while other countries are outright rejecting Trump's pressure.
02:32Like the United States and Israel, we want to see an end to Iran's nuclear and missile programs.
02:39But we will not take part in this war.
02:41We have said this from day one.
02:44This also means that as long as the war continues, we will not participate in ensuring freedom of navigation in
02:50the Strait of Hormuz by military means.
02:52Trump is warning that he will remember who was helping and who was not, saying that NATO faces a, quote,
03:00very bad future if members don't come to his aid.
03:04But even he has acknowledged that some countries are not enthusiastic, many not keen to join a war they were
03:11not consulted on and did not start.
03:14Devon Tsai and Cadence Quaranta for Taiwan Plus.
Comments