Taiwan and Arms Sales Discussed with Xi

2026-05-15

Taiwan and Arms Sales Discussed

U.S. President Donald Trump said he discussed Taiwan and arms sales in detail during his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. He said he would "decide soon" on additional arms sales to Taiwan.

Defense Question Goes Unanswered

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on his return from China, Trump said he discussed the Taiwan issue with Xi but made no promises.

At the U.S.-China summit, Xi reportedly asked whether the United States would defend Taiwan. Trump said he replied, "I don't talk about that." U.S. administrations have long maintained strategic ambiguity, declining to say whether the U.S. military would intervene in a Taiwan contingency.

Trump said the Taiwan situation took up a long time during the Oct. 14-15 meetings. When asked about the risk of a U.S.-China clash over Taiwan, he replied, "I don't think so. I think everything will be fine." About Xi, he said, "He doesn't want war. He doesn't want the movement toward Taiwan's independence."

Arms Sales Tied to Lai

On U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, Trump also said, "We have to talk to the person who is governing Taiwan right now." The remark appeared to refer to Taiwan President Lai Ching-te.

Shortly after winning the U.S. presidential election in November 2016, Trump held a phone call with then-Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen. It was before his first inauguration in January 2017, and China strongly protested at the time. If a sitting U.S. president were to speak directly with Lai, Chinese backlash could intensify further.

The "Six Assurances," which underpin U.S. Taiwan policy, state that Washington will not consult China in advance on arms sales. It was unusual for Trump and Xi to discuss the issue over Taiwan's head.

China Schedule and Iran Sanctions

While the United States does not dispute China's position that mainland China and Taiwan are inseparable, it has maintained its "one China" policy, which includes involvement in Taiwan's security. It opposes unilateral changes to the status quo by either side and does not support Taiwan independence.

Trump said he expects to meet Xi a total of four times, including this meeting, in 2026. In September, he invited Xi to the White House and also invited him to the Group of 20 summit to be held in the United States at year-end. Xi also asked Trump to visit China again in November, apparently in connection with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit to be held there that month.

During the U.S.-China talks, sanctions relief for Chinese companies buying Iranian crude oil was also discussed. Trump said he would "decide within days." Since April, the U.S. government has imposed sanctions on Chinese companies for buying Iranian crude oil.

On negotiations to end the fighting with Iran, Trump said a 20-year pause in nuclear development would be sufficient. He also said all enriched uranium must be removed.

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