The Taiwanese government has called off a plan for its president to transit through the United States on his way to Latin America, The Associated Press has learned — a decision leading to conflicting accounts of the reason for the cancellation.

The Taiwanese leader canceled U.S. transit visits after being urged to change his plans, two officials said. Washington has been in talks with Beijing over trade and a possible summit.

The U.S. cancelled a meeting with Taiwan's defence minister in June, highlighting concern that President Donald Trump is wary of supporting the island in ways that could harm U.S. relations with China,

Taiwan's president reportedly canceled his trip after the U.S. denied him permission to stop over in New York en route to Central America.

Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te will delay an expected trip to remaining allies in the Americas that would have taken place next month, embassy officials told Reuters on Tuesday, due to damages from a typhoon and as the island faces more torrential rains.

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te appeared to call off an overseas trip planned for next week after the Trump administration failed to greenlight his stopover in the US, amid concerns it could derail trade talks with China.