Voice of America Chinese Broadcast (2026年10月14日) President Trump: The United States Has Not Cut Off Intelligence Sharing with Ukraine Egypt Calls on the Houthi Armed Forces to Immediately Stop Attacks on Saudi Arabia - October 14, 2026
This episode of the VOA Chinese broadcast covers various international and cross-strait news, primarily including: US President Trump stating that intelligence sharing with Ukraine has not been cut off; Egypt calling on the Houthi rebels to stop attacks on Saudi Arabia; the new White House press secretary discussing tariffs on China and the decline in fentanyl smuggling; the EU commissioner's stance on rebalancing EU-China trade; US opposition to Chinese sanctions on officials from Paraguay and Belize; TSMC's third-quarter earnings expectations and former officials discussing the impact of AI; and the Chinese military's live-fire drills along the coast drawing concern from Taiwan.
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Hello listeners, welcome to the VOA Chinese broadcast. I am Weizhi, reporting to you from Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States.
US President Trump said on Tuesday, October 13, that the United States has not cut off intelligence sharing with Ukraine and that the US hopes to help end this war. Trump told reporters at the White House, "We are helping them, we are sharing intelligence, we want the war to end, so we are working with them and with Russia to try to end this war." His comments came hours after Ukrainian President Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine had not received any advance warning regarding Russia's ballistic missile attack on civilian infrastructure in Kyiv on Tuesday. Zelenskyy said on the social media platform X that such intelligence regarding ballistic missile launches by the Russian military could help save lives. Zelenskyy said, "This is exactly how to prevent casualties: early warning for ballistic missiles." The Ukrainian president also said that since Trump announced an energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine on Sunday, Ukrainian forces have not launched any attacks on Russian refineries or energy facilities. Zelenskyy said that during this period, the Russians have attacked our energy facilities and critical infrastructure, sending an absolutely clear signal that they have no intention of stopping their attacks on Ukraine. Trump told reporters on Tuesday that Ukraine had attacked many targets the previous day. When asked if he thought Russia had violated the ceasefire agreement, Trump said, "I will tell you later." Kremlin spokesman Peskov said at a briefing on Tuesday that contacts between Russian and US officials are still ongoing.
The Egyptian government has called on the Iran-backed Houthi rebels to immediately stop their attacks on Saudi Arabia, following a new attack by the terrorist group on the Saudi capital, Riyadh, on Tuesday, October 13. Egyptian Foreign Minister Abdelatty called for an end to the attacks during a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi on Tuesday. After the call, Abdelatty posted on X, emphasizing the need to de-escalate tensions and prioritize diplomacy. Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesman Zaki said in a statement that these attacks have no justification and are unacceptable. Egypt is a member of the Saudi-led coalition supporting the internationally recognized government, with the coalition providing maritime and air support. Shortly after Cairo issued the statement, the Saudi-led coalition reported on Tuesday that they had intercepted and destroyed three drones north of Riyadh. The Houthis have launched fierce airstrikes on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport since last week, killing 19 people. The Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation extended the suspension of the capital's airport until October 17 on Monday to ensure safety. In light of the Houthi attacks, several airlines have also temporarily canceled flights to Riyadh.
The Saudi-led coalition and the Houthis issued new mutual warnings on Tuesday regarding potential attacks. The coalition posted on X, demanding that civilians at the Al-Sabah central station in Sanaa and near the Yemen Petroleum Company evacuate for their own safety, and published a map of the area. Shortly after the warning, explosions were reported in Sanaa. Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree said his group would respond to any Saudi attacks in Sanaa, and they also issued a warning to Riyadh, telling employees and citizens near Saudi Aramco oil facilities to evacuate, calling them legitimate targets for the group. In subsequent posts on X, Saree also issued renewed warnings regarding the Abha International Airport and oil fields, although the group had previously targeted these locations in attacks. Fierce fighting broke out in Taiz, Yemen's third-largest city, and the western coastal region. The Yemeni government accused the Houthis on Tuesday of attacking a hospital in downtown Taiz and shelling residential areas, resulting in civilian casualties. The Houthis claimed that Saudi warplanes struck the Razih and Al-Ghamr areas in Saada province, which is the group's birthplace and main stronghold in Yemen. Neither side's claims have been independently verified.
White House new spokesperson Katie Zakarian hosted her first press briefing on October 13, discussing the Trump administration's China policy and the fentanyl issue. She stated that President Trump used tariffs to stop China from producing fentanyl precursor chemicals, and noted that fentanyl smuggling volumes and related deaths within the United States have both decreased. Since the Trump administration took office, it has exposed more than 260 billion dollars in fraud, stopped 72 billion dollars in fraud annually through administrative measures, and recovered 58.9 billion dollars through prosecutions, settlements, and civil fines. Most importantly, President Trump is working to ensure the security of the Western Hemisphere for centuries to come. President Trump signed an unprecedented agreement granting the United States permanent control over the security interests of Greenland. President Trump also used tariffs to stop China from producing fentanyl precursor chemicals. Fentanyl has caused the deaths of many US citizens, and President Trump is doing everything possible to ensure this does not happen again. Domestically, fentanyl smuggling across the US southern border has dropped by 56%, and deaths related to fentanyl have dropped sharply by 22% within a year, all thanks to President Trump. The President himself and the Trump administration care deeply about everyone and the American people, and I am deeply honored to officially join this extraordinary journey.
European Commissioner for Economy Valdis Dombrovskis said on October 13 that after China plans to reduce its exports of hybrid vehicles to Europe, the EU still needs to push for trade rebalancing with China in more sectors. He also pointed out in an interview that Europe's trade imbalance is severe, with the EU's trade deficit with China reaching about 360 billion euros last year, a situation that is unsustainable. This is clearly an important step. Of course, if we look at the broader EU-China trade relationship, last year the EU's trade deficit with China was about 360 billion euros, meaning an average of nearly 1 billion euros per day. Clearly, the trade relationship between the two sides is extremely unbalanced, and this situation is unsustainable. Therefore, while the specific issue we are discussing right now is the automotive sector, I think we need to expand trade rebalancing to a broader range of industries. Valdis Dombrovskis made these remarks to AFP on Tuesday, adding that the EU needs to reach a trade agreement with China in broader areas, following Beijing's agreement to limit exports of hybrid vehicles to Europe.
After China sanctioned two ministerial-level officials of Taiwan's diplomatic allies Paraguay and Belize, the US State Department told Voice of America that the United States opposes China's coercive behavior and all unilateral actions that could threaten peace and stability. In an email reply to Voice of America on Monday evening, Washington time, October 12, a US State Department spokesperson said that we have repeatedly reiterated that cross-strait differences should be resolved peacefully and should not resort to coercion, and routine speeches must never become a pretext for taking aggressive or coercive actions. The statement also said that the United States cares about peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and we oppose any unilateral actions that threaten peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
The routine speech mentioned by the US State Department should refer to the remarks made by Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te on October 10 at Taiwan's 115th National Day celebration. Lai Ching-te stated in his speech that Taiwan cherishes peace but will not give up freedom, peace cannot rely solely on wishes, and tolerance cannot become a reason for aggressors to push their luck. He also cited the biblical concept of a city upon a hill, emphasizing that Taiwan will become a key force in maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. He also called out to Beijing, stating that force cannot override rules, and Taiwan is willing to engage in exchanges but will not accept being marginalized.
Shortly after Lai Ching-te's speech, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on Monday local time, accusing Minister of Information Technology and Communication of Paraguay Gustavo Villate and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Belize Francis Fonseca of being anti-China politicians who stubbornly support so-called diplomatic relations with Taiwan, and imposed sanctions on both individuals. The measures include freezing their assets within China, prohibiting organizations and individuals within China from engaging in trade and cooperation with them, and denying the issuance of visas and entry, with the sanctions taking effect on the same day. In response to China's sanctions, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belize stated that Fonseca was merely fulfilling his legitimate duties and that China's sanctions were completely groundless, emphasizing that these measures will not change Belize's foreign policy and that Belize remains fully committed to maintaining its relations with Taiwan. According to Reuters, upon learning of the sanctions, Villate stated in an interview with local media that given the ongoing cooperation projects between Paraguay and Taiwan, including an artificial intelligence data center plan, this action by the Chinese side was to be expected.
Speaking at the Warsaw Security Forum in Poland on October 13, Taiwan's Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung warned Europe that over-reliance on Chinese suppliers not only brings economic risks but may also threaten Europe's freedom and sovereignty. Lin also emphasized that Taiwan and Europe share the values of freedom and democracy, and strengthening trade and cooperation with Taiwan helps promote Europe's technological innovation and prosperity. Because the authoritarian ideology of China is in fundamental conflict with Europe's democratic system, dependence on China is not merely an economic risk, but a direct threat to Europe's freedom and sovereignty itself. If Europe's supply chains are controlled by external forces, Europe would effectively surrender a portion of its freedom. Taiwan and Europe share the most important common values—democracy, freedom, human rights, and the rule of law—which form the core of the Taiwan Model: building trust based on shared values, driving technological innovation based on the rule of law, while respecting human rights, protecting freedom and the environment, and pursuing mutual benefit under the principles of a free and open market. The Taiwan Model has helped Taiwan achieve innovation and prosperity, and it can bring the same results to Europe.
On Tuesday, the three major stock indices saw declines: the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped by 0.35%, the S&P 500 fell by 0.02%, and the technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index dropped by 0.15%.
Alison Hooker, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for Political Affairs, held the second U.S.-Japan Free and Open Indo-Pacific Dialogue in Tokyo on Monday, October 12, with the Senior Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs from Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A press release issued by the U.S. Department of State stated that during the talks, both sides committed to closely aligning U.S. priorities with the new version of the Free and Open Indo-Pacific vision proposed by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, translating this shared vision into practical outcomes, and coordinating maritime security assistance for Southeast Asia and Pacific Island countries. The two high-ranking diplomats also noted progress in U.S.-Japan defense industrial cooperation and reaffirmed their commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea and the immediate resolution of the abductions issue.
The Free and Open Indo-Pacific vision began in 2007 when then-Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe delivered a speech in Japan viewing the Indian and Pacific oceans as a single entity and proposing an expanded concept of Asia. In 2016, Shinzo Abe formally proposed the strategic vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific for the first time at the Sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development held in Kenya. The U.S. Department of State stated that Monday's U.S.-Japan dialogue marked the tenth anniversary of the proposal of this vision. U.S. and Japanese senior officials discussed how to align diplomatic assistance and strategic infrastructure in priority countries, including the Luzon Economic Corridor in the Philippines as well as the Japan-U.S. Mekong and Energy Partnership. In September of this year, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi proposed the new version of the Free and Open Indo-Pacific framework during the general debate of the United Nations General Assembly, incorporating issues such as energy, critical minerals, supply chains, and the economy, and calling for countries to enhance autonomy and resilience. While attending the UN General Assembly, Sanae Takaichi also held talks with President Donald Trump, thanking him for his exceptionally firm commitment to the U.S.-Japan alliance and stating that amid increasingly severe security environments, including security situations in the Asian region, the high-level U.S.-Japan meeting is an opportunity to show the world that our alliance is extremely robust.
The U.S. Department of State stated that during the second dialogue held in Tokyo on Monday, the two sides agreed to coordinate security assistance more closely, particularly regarding maritime security and maritime domain awareness in Southeast Asia and Pacific Island countries. Both sides reviewed progress in economic security, including critical mineral supply chains, deep-sea mineral exploration, digital connectivity, and energy security. Regarding regional security, they discussed closer cooperation with regional allies and partners and welcomed Japan's growing cooperation with NATO.
TSMC will hold its third-quarter earnings conference on October 15 and release its financial report. With the increase in global semiconductor and super-intelligent infrastructure investment, analysts expect TSMC's third-quarter profit to set another quarterly record. Reuters reported on Monday, citing Smart Estimate data from the London Stock Exchange Group, that the agency's synthesis of forecasts from 16 analysts shows that TSMC's third-quarter profit is expected to reach NT$746.3 billion, a year-on-year increase of 65%, with the potential to set a record for the sixth consecutive quarter. TSMC announced its September revenue last Thursday; according to preliminary data, the company's third-quarter revenue was approximately NT$1.49 trillion, a year-on-year increase of 50.9%, hitting a historical quarterly high and exceeding the market's initial expectation of NT$1.46 trillion. TSMC is a major chip supplier for tech companies such as Nvidia, AMD, and Apple. Facing strong demand for AI servers and chips, Goldman Sachs' August forecast indicated that global AI infrastructure investment this year will reach US$1 trillion, with about US$580 billion coming from the United States and the rest from Asian supply chains and technology hubs. Analysts say that the market's robust demand for TSMC semiconductors and super-intelligent chips also reflects the role that super-intelligence will play in future society.
Patrick Wilson, a Commerce Department official during Trump's first term, compared AI's position in history to the invention of electricity in an interview with Voice of America. Wilson, who served in the Office of Business Liaison under then-Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, said, "I think the era we are in now is like when electricity was born. Electrification brought immediate benefits and many short-term solutions to industry, but many industries were eliminated during the early promotion, a large number of jobs disappeared, and society experienced dislocation and transformation because people shifted from natural gas, oil, and heating to electricity and lighting. So, there is no doubt that AI will also replace many existing work models and forms."
Wilson, now a principal founder of the American Semiconductor and Innovation Group, believes that AI will change the way people work, play, and manage their finances. He said that the demand for AI is enormous, but currently less than 50% of Americans regularly use AI to complete their work, and the United States is one of the wealthiest and freest countries in the world, and most of it is indirect use. He cited as an example that when people use Google search today, they no longer just want traditional web search results, but hope to get more in-depth information provided by Google AI, but even so, such applications have not yet become mainstream, and most people are not using AI all the time. Wilson said that if small business founders can use AI models like Cloud to handle accounting, sales correspondence, and calendars, they might not need as many people to do administrative or accounting work. Although this may mean fewer job opportunities of this type, if AI becomes a tool that brings efficiency and profit, future applications will also be more common.
Wilson served as Vice President of Corporate Government Affairs at Taiwan's MediaTek from 2020 to January of this year. He said this is also why he is optimistic about Taiwan, because the application of AI will continue to grow explosively. In May 2020, TSMC announced a US$12 billion investment to build a plant in Phoenix, Arizona, to produce advanced semiconductor chips, and has since continued to expand local investment and production capacity. In July of this year, TSMC announced an additional US$100 billion investment in the United States to meet the needs of customers such as Nvidia, AMD, and Apple, bringing the company's total investment in the United States to US$265 billion. Reuters reported in September that TSMC is evaluating expanding its investment in the United States and may invest tens of billions of dollars in Texas to build multiple new chip manufacturing plants, making Texas TSMC's second chip production park in the United States. It is expected that TSMC Chairman C.C. Wei may provide further details on this at the earnings conference on Thursday.
On October 12, the Chinese military began live-fire drills in at least five sea areas in coastal regions and designated no-sail zones. Taiwan's Minister of National Defense, Wellington Koo, condemned the military drills that cause instability in the Indo-Pacific region and stated that Taiwan will continue to monitor the exercises. Since October 8, maritime departments in various parts of China have issued consecutive navigation warnings. Starting October 12, due to the People's Liberation Army conducting live-fire training, live-fire shooting, and military training in at least five sea areas including the Bohai Sea, the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea, and the South China Sea, entry into the relevant sea areas is prohibited, and military activities will continue until the 20th. Regarding the Chinese military's drills, Taiwan's Minister of National Defense, Wellington Koo, told reporters on Monday that the Ministry of National Defense has a full grasp of the relevant situation, and the preliminary assessment is that they are conducting some relevant defensive troop training in coastal areas. However, the Taiwanese military adheres to the principle of preparing for the worst and will continue to monitor closely. Koo also stated that the military threat drills that the PLA continuously creates in the Indo-Pacific region are all worthy of close attention. China's live-fire shooting occurred after Taiwan President Lai Ching-te delivered his National Day speech.
The day before, Chinese Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Chen Xi stated in a Q&A released via the Ministry's WeChat official account that the People's Liberation Army's regular drills around Taiwan are intended to deter the reckless actions of Taiwan independence forces and foreign interference, and to safeguard the safety and well-being of the Taiwanese people, which is justified and beyond reproach. Chen Xi did not explicitly state that these live-fire drills were in response to Lai Ching-te's speech. In his address at Taiwan's 115th National Day ceremony on October 10, Lai Ching-te stated that Taiwan cherishes peace but will not abandon freedom, that peace cannot rely on wishes alone, and that tolerance should not become a reason for aggressors to push for more. He also cited the concept of a "city upon a hill" from the Christian Bible, emphasizing that Taiwan will become a key force in maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. He also called out to Beijing, stating that force cannot override rules and that Taiwan is willing to engage in dialogue but will not accept being belittled. China views democratic and self-governing Taiwan as part of its territory and has repeatedly threatened to use force to unify Taiwan if necessary. The Lai Ching-te administration, for its part, emphasizes that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait are not subordinate to each other. China, as always, condemned Lai Ching-te's remarks, claiming he was hyping up so-called mainland military threats and attempting to seek independence through force and external support. China views Lai Ching-te as a separatist and has rejected his repeated proposals for dialogue.
Chinese military forces conduct military activities around Taiwan almost daily, although they have not held a full-scale military exercise since late December last year, which was in response to Washington's announcement of an $11.1 billion arms sale to Taiwan, the largest in history. The United States does not have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, but under the Taiwan Relations Act passed in 1979, the U.S. is obligated to provide Taiwan with the defensive weapons and services necessary to maintain sufficient self-defense capabilities. Voice of America (VOA) sent requests for comment to the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Defense; the Department of Defense stated it would not comment, and as of VOA's publication time, the Department of State had not responded.
However, regarding the recent first appearance of Chinese maritime militia vessels in the waters east of Taiwan, the U.S. stated that this move is seriously destabilizing and called on Beijing to stop pressuring Taiwan. A U.S. Department of State spokesperson said in response to a VOA email request for comment on October 9 that the U.S. remains concerned about China's activities east of Taiwan. The spokesperson also said that China's actions are deeply destabilizing and that by asserting authority over waters that have been peacefully managed by Taiwan for over 70 years, China only exacerbates tensions and undermines the efforts it claims to seek for a peaceful resolution of issues. The spokesperson added, "We urge Beijing to cease its pressure on Taiwan and engage in meaningful dialogue with Taiwan's democratically elected authorities."