Lai Ching-te has suggested discussing 'company mergers' with Mainland China, but his willingness to allow the other party to make offers before any concrete conditions have been established appears unwise. In his speech marking his first anniversary in office, Lai notably did not mention cross-strait relations, a topic that is unavoidable in Taiwanese politics. Over the past year, he has consistently taken a hard stance, categorizing China as an 'external hostile force.'

In a recent interview, Lai likened cross-strait relations to a merger between unequal companies, stating that the larger entity should set the terms. This comment sparked immediate public interest and media coverage. While some critics suggest this could be a 'slip of the tongue,' others argue it was intentional. The author believes it was not a slip at all.

Since the announcement of the US's equal tariff policy, Lai's rhetoric on cross-strait policy has introduced elements of 'de-escalation.' Although government agencies maintain a tough stance, Lai himself has made remarks such as 'looking forward to dining with Xi Jinping.' Additionally, his avoidance of statements asserting mutual non-subordination of sovereignty during his anniversary address raises questions about potential shifts in his cross-strait policy. However, Lai might be 'waiting for change,' delaying significant decisions until external conditions become clearer.

Should Lai genuinely wish to discuss a 'company merger' with Beijing, he must present concrete proposals rather than allowing the other side to dictate terms. Basic negotiation principles suggest that conceding the right to make offers to the opposing party complicates subsequent bargaining efforts.