Taiwan's opposition KMT says the government is fooling itself by calling US-Taiwan ties the best ever, while the Foreign Ministry insists communication with Washington is smooth — a political fight that is bad news for confidence in Taiwan's US relationship.

• The KMT points to a New York Times report that Trump administration officials asked visiting Taiwanese officials to cut back on visits to Washington think tanks.
• The KMT also cites President Lai Ching-te not yet transiting through the US mainland on foreign trips and delays in US arms sales as warning signs.
• The KMT argues Trump does not want Taiwan getting in the way of his China policy, so US interests should never be assumed to equal Taiwan's.
• The Foreign Ministry says exchanges with the US continue at the local government and congressional level and official channels are open, and that a US transit for Lai will be arranged when the timing is right.
• The ministry says the US has repeatedly confirmed arms sales are still moving forward.

Outlook: Taiwan will watch a possible Trump-Xi meeting closely, and the KMT will keep pressing the government on whether Washington is quietly keeping Taipei at arm's length.