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Fear of Being Left Behind: Taiwanese Concerns After the Trump–Xi Summit

Recent survey data suggest that many Taiwanese fear that Taiwan’s interests could be overlooked or sacrificed as Washington and Beijing seek to stabilize their relationship.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping pose for a photo at Zhongnanhai in Beijing, China, May 15, 2026.

In May 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a highly anticipated summit in Beijing. The meeting immediately fueled debate about the future of China-U.S. relations, cross-strait stability, and Washington’s commitment to Taiwan. Yet while much of the discussion focused on the implications for great power relations and regional security, far less attention has been paid to how Taiwanese themselves interpret these developments. Recent survey data suggest that many Taiwanese fear that Taiwan’s interests could be overlooked or sacrificed as Washington and Beijing seek to stabilize their relationship.

Because public perceptions can shape how democratic societies respond to external challenges, understanding how Taiwanese interpreted the Trump-Xi summit is particularly important. To examine these views, the Institute for National Defense and Security Research (INDSR) commissioned the Election Study Center at National Chengchi University to conduct a nationwide telephone survey between May 28 and May 31, 2026. The survey interviewed 1,127 adults aged 18 and above across Taiwan, including both landline and mobile phone samples. At the 95 percent confidence level, the margin of error is ±2.92 percentage points.

One of the survey’s most striking findings is the extent to which Taiwanese worry that their interests could be marginalized in the wake of renewed China-U.S. engagement. When asked which statement they agreed with more following the Trump–Xi summit, 51 percent of respondents said that Taiwan’s interests could be overlooked or sacrificed, while only 29 percent believed that Taiwan’s interests would be properly considered. The remaining respondents either held mixed views or did not express a clear opinion.

These findings suggest that many Taiwanese view the summit through a lens of uncertainty rather than reassurance. While the meeting may have reduced tensions between Washington and Beijing, a substantial share of the Taiwanese public appears concerned that closer interaction between the two powers could come at Taiwan’s expense. This concern is particularly noteworthy because it reflects anxieties not simply about China-U.S. relations themselves, but about Taiwan’s role in a changing regional environment.

Concerns about Taiwan’s place in future China-U.S. relations are also reflected in changing expectations about American military support. Since 2021, INDSR has regularly tracked Taiwanese views on whether the United States would send troops to help defend Taiwan in the event of a cross-Strait war. Throughout most of this period, roughly half of respondents believed that U.S. military intervention was either definite or likely. However, the latest survey conducted after the Trump-Xi summit recorded a noticeable shift in public sentiment.

In March 2026, about 54 percent of respondents said that the United States would either definitely or probably intervene militarily if China attacked Taiwan. By May 2026, that figure had fallen to 44 percent. At the same time, the share expecting that the United States would probably not or definitely not intervene increased from 37 percent to 42 percent. 

Although public opinion remains divided, the latest survey represents a noticeable departure from the relatively stable pattern observed in recent years. This........

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