While many fear President Trump might concede to China’s demand on Taiwan, a different possibility exists: could he use the request as a form of diplomatic leverage? In this scenario, the “art of the deal” would involve not accepting China’s terms, but pivoting and using their “ask” to extract concessions from Beijing.
Instead of simply saying “no,” the Trump administration could respond by saying, “You want us to change our language on Taiwan? Here is what it will cost you.” This approach would turn Beijing’s diplomatic offensive into an opportunity for Washington to advance its own agenda.
The price for even considering such a change could be high. The U.S. could demand, as former official Sarah Beran suggested, a complete and verifiable cessation of Chinese military flights and naval patrols around Taiwan. It could go further, demanding that China dismantle its missile emplacements aimed at the island or agree to a formal “no first use” of force policy in the Taiwan Strait.
This kind of diplomatic judo would put the ball back in Beijing’s court. It would force China to decide how much a change in U.S. wording is really worth to them. Are they willing to make tangible, de-escalatory military moves in exchange for a symbolic, political victory?
This would be a far savvier way to handle the situation than either a simple concession or a flat refusal. It would demonstrate that the U.S. is not a passive recipient of Chinese demands but an active shaper of the strategic environment. It would be a true test of the “art of the deal,” transforming a moment of vulnerability into a position of strength.