US EditionTrump says decision on Taiwan weapons coming ‘soon’
Trump plans a decision on a new arms package potentially worth $20 billion amid Chinese warnings to handle sales with caution, ahead of April talks with Xi Jinping.
- President Donald Trump said Monday aboard Air Force One that he is discussing future arms sales to Taiwan with Chinese President Xi Jinping and will decide soon.
- Following warnings from Beijing, Xi Jinping urged handling U.S. arms sales to Taiwan with prudence during a February 4 call, and China launched live-fire drills simulating a blockade around Taiwan's ports.
- According to reporting by the Financial Times, the proposal would follow the $11.1 billion December arms package and could include Patriot missile systems, NASAMS surface-to-air missiles, and two other weapons systems, with a potential value of $20 billion.
- Beijing warned moving ahead with the sale could derail the Xi-Trump meeting in Beijing in April, and the U.S. administration may delay formal notification to Congress until after Trump's return.
- Amid Taipei's budget fight, President Lai Ching-te's $40 billion defense proposal is blocked by Taiwan's legislature, while consulting Beijing risks breaching Washington's 'Six Assurances' to Taiwan.
39 Articles
39 Articles
Trump should stick to his guns on Taiwan
The leaders of the world’s two superpowers, President Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, are set to meet in April. China and others hope to use the long-awaited summit as leverage and are calling on the United States to cancel arms sales to Taiwan. Trump should stick to his guns and hold firm to U.S. commitments to the embattled island nation. In a Feb. 4 phone call, Xi reportedly told Trump that “the Taiwan question is the most important issue in Chi…
Xi is said to have made it clear to Trump that he should handle the issue of arms sales to Taiwan "with wisdom."
Trump To Decide on Taiwan Arms Sales Following Warning from Beijing
U.S. president Donald Trump announced on Monday, February 16th, that a determination regarding the sale of weapons to Taiwan would be made “pretty soon.” The statement follows a high-level phone conversation with Chinese president Xi Jinping, who cautioned Washington to handle the issue with extreme caution, calling Taiwan the most important matter in China-U.S. relations. President Trump described his relationship with the Chinese leader as “g…
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