Donald Trump says he will decide “soon” on Taiwan arms sales after fresh warnings from China.
US President Donald Trump has declined to commit to a major arms sale package for Taiwan following a strong warning from Chinese President Xi Jinping during their summit in Beijing.
Speaking aboard Air Force One after two days of talks, Trump said he would make a decision on the proposed $14 billion Taiwan arms package “over the next fairly short period.”
The deal has reportedly been delayed for months despite pressure from US lawmakers.
The comments came after Xi warned that mishandling the Taiwan issue could push the United States and China toward conflict. Chinese state media quoted Xi as saying Taiwan remains the most sensitive issue in relations between both countries.
Trump also revealed that Xi directly asked whether the US would defend Taiwan if China attacked the island. Trump said he refused to answer the question during the meeting.
Beyond Taiwan, the summit focused heavily on trade, technology, and the ongoing Iran conflict. Trump claimed China agreed to buy 200 Boeing aircraft and billions of dollars in American agricultural products, including soybeans. Boeing later confirmed an initial aircraft agreement with China.
The summit also included discussions on artificial intelligence, semiconductor exports, and reopening the Strait of Hormuz as tensions with Iran continue to affect global energy markets.
The talks highlight ongoing efforts by Washington and Beijing to stabilize relations despite deep disagreements over Taiwan, trade, and global security issues.