Key facts
- US arms sales to Taiwan are important for the island's defense and its semiconductor industry's contribution to the world, according to a senior Taiwanese diplomat.
- Taiwan's Deputy Foreign Minister Francois Wu stated that maintaining military sales and Taiwan's capability to defend itself are important US interests.
- Chinese President Xi Jinping told Donald Trump that the US should adhere to the "correct position" of opposing Taiwan independence.
- The Trump administration had previously paused a planned arms sale to Taiwan, described as a "good bargaining chip."
- China's People's Daily reiterated that Taiwan is "the core of China's core interests and the first unbreakable red line in China-US relations."
A senior Taiwanese diplomat stated that the United States providing weapons to Taiwan to protect its freedom and supply semiconductors to the world is in the US national interest. Deputy Foreign Minister Francois Wu made these remarks on Saturday in Taipei, following a summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump.
Xi told Trump in Washington on Thursday that he hoped the US would adhere to the "correct position" of opposing Taiwan independence. Wu questioned whether concessions on Taiwan would serve US interests, emphasizing that maintaining military sales and Taiwan's capability to defend itself are crucial. Taiwan is a key producer of advanced chips powering the AI revolution.
The Trump administration had previously approved an $11 billion arms sale to Taiwan and was considering a second, larger one. Wu indicated that Taiwan is in continuous communication with Washington regarding these sales and is preparing as much as possible. US Ambassador to China David Perdue stated on Friday that there has been no change in Trump's Taiwan policy, including adherence to the Taiwan Relations Act which mandates arms sales.
China's official newspaper, the People's Daily, reiterated on Saturday that Taiwan is "the core of China's core interests and the first unbreakable red line in China-US relations."