Taiwan
Date Range
Score Range
The New York Times (Included / Excluded) : For Trump, the Iran War Looms Over China Summit
Taiwan's status framed as negotiable and subject to great-power bargaining
[framing_by_emphasis], [omission] - Suggests US could trade opposition to Taiwan independence for Chinese help on Iran, marginalizing Taiwan's agency
“Can they send this message a little stronger?” said Mr. Wang, a former Chinese government official. “I think that can be done if they expect China to do more.”
ABC News (Legitimate / Illegitimate) : Trump set to meet with Xi in Beijing as war and inflation weigh on his …
Taiwan’s legitimacy as a sovereign partner questioned
[selective_coverage] and [omission] — Omits Trump’s delay of a $13bn arms package and his openness to halting future sales, while presenting his discussion of the $11bn package as routine, subtly undermining Taiwan’s security legitimacy in US policy.
“Trump told reporters Monday that he would be discussing with Xi an $11 billion weapons package for Taiwan that the U.S. administration authorized in December but has not yet begun fulfilling.”
The New York Times (Included / Excluded) : Trump Arrives in Beijing to Begin High-Stakes Summit With Xi
Taiwan framed as diplomatically isolated and expendable
Omission of critical context: Trump delayed $13bn arms package and signaled willingness to halt future sales, but this is not reported, implying marginalization of Taiwan’s security concerns.
The Guardian (Legitimate / Illegitimate) : Trump and Xi tête-à-tête: five key issues on the table in China
Taiwan's sovereignty framed as illegitimate through emphasis on China's territorial claims
The article frames Taiwan as a 'breakaway territory' despite never having been ruled by the PRC, reinforcing Beijing’s narrative while downplaying Taiwan’s democratic status and international ambiguity.
“Beijing is keen to push the US on Taiwan, with Trump saying he is prepared to raise the issue of arms sales to the island, which China claims as a breakaway territory despite never having ruled it.”
Sky News (Legitimate / Illegitimate) : Trump state visit latest: US president prepares to meet Chinese president in Beijing
framed as a destabilizing issue due to US arms sales, downplaying its sovereignty claims
Taiwan is discussed primarily through the lens of US-China tensions and arms sales, with no mention of Taiwan's democratic governance or self-defense rationale. The framing centers on 'destabilising events' from the US perspective, implicitly delegitimizing Taiwan's agency.
“US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Taiwan was likely to be a topic of conversation between Trump and Xi. He told a White House briefing that Washington did not need any 'destabilising events' to occur, in reference to the Taiwan tensions.”
BBC News (Included / Excluded) : Trump China trip: What to know as president meets Xi Jinping
Framed as diplomatically isolated and vulnerable to US-China negotiation
[omission] The article omits Trump’s $11bn arms package and the delayed $13bn sale, both critical to understanding US commitment to Taiwan. This absence frames Taiwan as a bargaining chip rather than a protected ally.
9News Australia (Included / Excluded) : Donald Trump China visit: US president lands in Beijing ahead of talks with Chinese President …
Pro-Taiwan democratic actors excluded from protection narrative
[omission]
“Trump delayed a $13bn arms package for Taiwan ahead of the summit after Xi called Taiwan the "most important issue" in US-China relations.”
9News Australia (Safe / Threatened) : Donald Trump China visit: US president lands in Beijing ahead of talks with Chinese President …
Taiwan framed as existentially threatened by US policy ambiguity
[omission], [narritive_framing]
“Trump has expressed willingness to halt future U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, a major point of contention for Beijing.”
CNN (Safe / Threatened) : Taiwan anxiously eyes Trump’s summit in China, with $14 billion in US arms sales up …
Taiwan is portrayed as vulnerable and under existential threat due to diplomatic uncertainty
The article repeatedly emphasizes Taiwan's anxiety and fear, framing its security as contingent on unpredictable U.S.-China negotiations. This is amplified by loaded language and sourcing that highlights worst-case scenarios.
“Taiwan anxiously eyes Trump’s summit in China, with $14 billion in US arms sales up in the air”
NBC News (Included / Excluded) : Trade, Taiwan and Iran cast shadows on Trump’s China summit with Xi
Framed as excluded from international legitimacy
The article highlights Trump’s willingness to discuss arms sales with Xi, suggesting a shift from long-standing US policy, which marginalizes Taiwan’s status. This frames Taiwan as a bargaining chip rather than a protected partner.
“Asked Monday about selling arms to Taiwan, Trump said: “President Xi would like us not to, and I’ll have that discussion. That’s one of the many things I’ll be talking about.””