Donald Trump said he will decide “pretty soon” whether to send more weapons to Taiwan, following a warning from Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Speaking Monday, Trump confirmed he had a “good conversation” with Xi and described their relationship as positive, but noted that a final decision on arms transfers would come shortly.
During a February 4 phone call, Xi reportedly urged the United States to exercise “mutual respect” and handle arms sales to Taiwan with caution, calling the issue the most sensitive matter in US-China relations.
China’s Communist Party claims Taiwan as its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to annex the island, despite never having governed it.
Although Washington does not formally recognize Taiwan as a country, it remains Taipei’s primary military backer. The United States approved $11 billion worth of arms for Taiwan in
December, according to Taiwanese authorities.
Shortly after the approval, Beijing conducted major live-fire drills simulating a blockade of Taiwan’s key ports, escalating tensions in the region.
Trump and Xi are expected to meet in Beijing in April, with Taiwan likely to dominate discussions.
Taiwan’s President, Lai Ching-te, has proposed $40 billion in additional defense spending over eight years, though the opposition-controlled parliament has repeatedly blocked the plan.
The Taiwan issue continues to be a central flashpoint in US-China relations, raising concerns about regional security and global stability.
