Taiwan's opposition is pushing back on the government's line after Trump and Xi met again, arguing Taipei is being left out of a deal-making process that will shape its future — a neutral-to-worrying signal for anyone watching the Taiwan Strait.

• KMT chair Cheng Li-wun says Taiwan does not have to pick between being pro-US and pro-China, and should chart its own path.
• She urged President Lai Ching-te to explain the government's read on US-China ties and to offer concrete steps to reopen talks with Beijing.
• Trump and Xi met at the White House and called it a good meeting, but neither would say whether Taiwan or AI came up.
• The KMT frames the second Trump-Xi meeting in five months as proof Washington and Beijing will keep talking despite their trade and tech fight.
• KMT lawmakers accuse Lai of using anti-China slogans to cover a total breakdown in cross-strait communication, and promise to block what they call reckless decisions.

Outlook: Pressure on Lai to spell out a cross-strait risk-reduction plan will build, with the fight playing out in Taiwan's legislature.