Donald Trump Says Taiwan Arms Sales Are Negotiation Chip With China

U.S. President Donald Trump sparked controversy after suggesting that arms sales to Taiwan could be used as a “negotiation chip” in relations with China during remarks after concluding his three-day visit to China.

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ABC News

Trump said, “Arms sales to Taiwan are a very good negotiation chip for us,” and added, “We can sell or not sell.”

ABC News

The remarks came as the Trump administration was delaying final approval of a $14 billion arms sales package to Taiwan that includes advanced missiles and defense systems.

In a separate account of the same period, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said in a statement that arms purchases from the United States are “the most important deterrent” of regional conflict and instability.

Taiwan’s response followed Xi Jinping’s warning that the Taiwan issue could lead to “clashes and even conflicts” if mishandled, according to the Time Magazine account of Xi’s remarks.

Taiwan sought to disperse concerns that U.S. policy had changed, with Lai Ching-te saying in a statement that the island would not relinquish “its national sovereignty and dignity, or its democratic and free way of life, under pressure.”

In response to Trump’s comments, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told ABC News’ “This Week with George Stephanopoulos” that there was “no change” to U.S. Taiwan policy and that the president was “considering how to move forward on” the arms sales.

Al Jazeera

Greer said Trump would need to weigh factors because previous U.S. presidents had paused sales in the past, while also emphasizing that when the president makes a national security decision it is “based on American security needs first though.”

The Washington Times framed Greer’s remarks as Trump weighing Taiwan arms sales as part of broader U.S.-China negotiations, quoting Greer saying, “Right now, the president’s considering how to move forward on that.”

In a separate account, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that he made “no commitment” regarding Taiwan during his visit to Xi Jinping, adding, “I think we'll be fine.”

The dispute over Taiwan arms sales is tied to a broader U.S.-China negotiation posture described in the reporting, with Trump telling Fox News that the potential $14 billion sale “depends on China.”

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AP News

Time Magazine reported that Trump said, “I may do it. I may not do it,” when asked about whether he would approve the planned $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan after his Beijing visit.

The same Time Magazine account said Taiwan had been waiting for months for Trump to approve the $14 billion package that would help it defend against a Chinese military operation to capture the island, and it described the package as including air-defense systems and sophisticated missiles.

In the Washington Post’s framing of the latest after the China trip, Trump’s position left U.S. support for Taiwan uncertain, while the Washington Times reported Greer saying Trump’s decision-making would consider stability in U.S.-China relations.

Beyond Taiwan, the U.S.-China talks also included a commitment that China would not provide material support to Iran, with Greer telling ABC News that the president obtained and confirmed that commitment.