US President Donald Trump said on Monday he is ready to discuss US arms sales to Taiwan during his visit to Beijing this week, suggesting his personal chemistry with Chinese President Xi Jinping would prevent a Chinese invasion of the island.
Trump's Visit to China
The White House announced that Trump will bring top US executives, including former rival Elon Musk and Apple's Tim Cook, for a trip expected to focus on boosting trade. The visit, from Wednesday through Friday, marks the first by a US president since Trump's 2017 trip. China expressed hope for greater stability between the world's two largest economies.
When asked about US arms sales to Taiwan—a major irritant for Beijing—Trump did not answer directly but stated, "I'm going to have that discussion with President Xi." He added, "President Xi would like us not to, and I'll have that discussion. That's one of the many things I'll be talking about," speaking to reporters in the Oval Office.
Trump's View on Taiwan's Security
Referencing Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Trump said of Taiwan, "I don't think it'll happen. I think we'll be fine. I have a very good relationship with President Xi. He knows I don't want that to happen." However, he noted the US is "very, very far away" compared with China.
In response, Taiwan's foreign ministry vowed to "continue to strengthen cooperation" with the US, its main security backer, and "build effective deterrence capabilities in order to jointly maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait."
Congressional Pressure on Taiwan Arms Sales
The US officially recognizes only Beijing but is required by domestic law to provide weapons for Taiwan's defense. Under the 1982 "Six Assurances," the US agreed not to consult Beijing about arms sales to the island. Trump has long criticized allies for not spending enough on defense. Days before his China trip, Taiwan's parliament approved a $25 billion defense spending bill, though it fell short of the government's proposal.
A group of US senators, led by Senator Jeanne Shaheen, urged Trump to approve a $14 billion arms package to Taiwan immediately. They wrote, "We urge you and your team to make clear that America's support for Taiwan is inviolable," and stressed that "American support for Taiwan is not up for negotiation."
New Sanctions on Iran
Trump delayed the trip once due to the war with Israel against Iran, which continues to resist his calls for an agreement. China is the main buyer of Iranian oil, which Trump has tried to halt through sanctions. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed displeasure that Beijing shared missile technology with Iran.
On Monday, the US Treasury imposed sanctions on 12 individuals and entities for facilitating Iranian oil sales to China. The sanctions came as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent prepared for Trump's visit during talks with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Seoul.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said top-level diplomacy is "irreplaceable" between the two countries. "China is willing to work with the United States in the spirit of equality, respect, and mutual benefit, to expand cooperation, manage differences, and inject more stability and certainty into a volatile and intertwined world," he stated. On Iran, Guo said China's position is "consistent" and that Beijing will continue to play a "positive role" in promoting a ceasefire and peace talks.
Trump and Xi last met in October on the sidelines of a regional summit in South Korea, where they agreed to a one-year truce in a trade war that saw tariffs on many goods exceed 100 percent.
