Key facts
- China's Xi Jinping is expected to urge US President Donald Trump to halt arms sales to Taiwan.
- China views Taiwan as its territory and considers arms sales a violation of a 1982 joint statement.
- The US is legally obligated to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself.
- Taiwan rejects Beijing's sovereignty claims.
- China has increased military activities around Taiwan.
- A second arms sales package to Taiwan, worth $14 billion, has been on hold for months.
China's President Xi Jinping is expected to urge US President Donald Trump to halt arms sales to Taiwan during their upcoming meeting in Washington. China views Taiwan as its territory and considers the US arms sales a violation of a 1982 joint statement between the two countries. Beijing has repeatedly called for an end to these sales and has sharply increased military activities around the island in recent years.
The US, however, is bound by law to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself, despite not having formal diplomatic relations. Taiwan's government rejects Beijing's sovereignty claims. A second arms sales package to Taiwan, valued at $14 billion, has been on hold for months, with Trump having previously described it as a "very good negotiating chip."
Sources familiar with discussions indicated that China is likely to emphasize Taiwan as the "provocateur and the sole source of instability" in US-China relations. In return, China may offer assistance in pressuring Iran over the Middle East conflict. US officials stated that Trump will make a determination on new arms sales packages in a timely manner. Senior Republican figures have expressed support for Taiwan, urging Trump to maintain a firm stance and reject Chinese objections to US arms sales and security cooperation.