00:00U.S. President Donald Trump has said he will speak with Taiwan's leader, Lai Xingte, as he weighs up a
00:06potential multi-billion dollar arms deal for the island, marking a sharp change in diplomatic procedure.
00:13A U.S. president has not spoken directly with a Taiwanese leader since 1979 when Washington recognized the People's Republic
00:21of China and severed diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
00:44Trump's remarks on Thursday come after a state visit to Beijing last week, where Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed the
00:52importance of the, quote, Taiwan issue.
00:56Following their meeting, Trump issued a warning to Taiwan against formally declaring independence from China and appeared to question why
01:05the U.S. would send military support in the event of an invasion.
01:09In response to Trump, Taiwan on Thursday said President Lai would be happy to speak with the U.S. president.
01:16President Lai would be happy to speak with the U.S. president.
01:18President Lai would be happy to speak with the U.S. president.
01:19President Lai would be happy to speak with the U.S. president.
01:19President Lai would be happy to speak with the U.S. president.
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