Taiwan President’s Bad Week Hangs on US Trade Deal Outcome

Taiwan’s leader Lai Ching-te suffered a string of high-profile political setbacks over the past week, wounding his presidency at home and abroad. With a US tariff deadline looming, things could get worse.

Lai’s ability to forge ahead with his domestic agenda was handed a blow Saturday, when an unprecedented recall vote against opposition lawmakers ended in a landslide defeat. Shortly after, it emerged Trump administration officials had rebuffed his request to pass through US soil next month, over fears it could jeopardize trade talks with China.