The Trump administration has delayed billions of dollars in arms sales to Taiwan ahead of his upcoming trip to Beijing in April, U.S. officials said.
The package, valued at $13 billion and including air-defense missiles such as Patriot interceptors, anti-drone equipment, and NASAMS systems, was approved by a bipartisan group of lawmakers after the State Department sent it for review in January. According to U.S. officials, the delay aims to avoid upsetting China’s leader Xi Jinping.
On February 16, President Trump stated he was weighing his response to Chinese opposition regarding the sale, saying, “I’m talking to him about it.” During a recent call between Trump and Xi, the Chinese leader warned that the U.S. must handle arms sales to Taiwan with extreme caution. Xi also emphasized that the U.S. stance on Taiwan is “the most important issue in China-U.S. relations” and that China “will never allow Taiwan to be separated from China.”
The State Department has declined to comment on pending arms sales but reaffirmed its longstanding commitment to Taiwan, stating that the administration’s enduring support for Taiwan continues as it has for over four decades. A prior diplomatic agreement known as the Six Assurances stipulates that the U.S. government will not consult with China about selling arms to Taiwan.
Officials have indicated Trump aims to preserve a trade truce with Xi while avoiding being pushed around by China. Chinese officials, meanwhile, have reportedly discussed economic incentives including significant U.S. Treasury purchases in exchange for publicly opposing Taiwanese independence.
