Taipei pushed back Friday after President Donald Trump signaled he might not proceed with a massive arms sale to Taiwan, a move that followed two days of talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The island's foreign ministry issued a forceful statement defending the $14 billion deal as a cornerstone of cross-strait stability.
The ministry stressed that U.S. arms sales are not merely transactional but represent a long-standing security commitment codified in the Taiwan Relations Act. “Regarding arms sales to Taiwan, this is not only a security commitment to Taiwan explicitly stated in the Taiwan Relations Act, but also a joint deterrent against regional threats,” the statement read.
Taipei also thanked Trump for his past support, noting that arms sales during his first term hit record levels. “Close cooperation between Taiwan and the US has always been the cornerstone of peace across the Taiwan Strait,” the ministry added.
Trump’s hesitation comes amid bipartisan pressure from Capitol Hill. Eight Republican and Democratic senators sent a letter Monday urging the administration to finalize the deal, which Beijing has vowed to oppose. The Chinese government considers Taiwan a breakaway province and has repeatedly warned against U.S. arms transfers.
Speaking to reporters Friday, Trump said he and Xi “talked a lot about Taiwan.” He recounted Xi’s position that Taiwan should not pursue formal independence, warning that such a move would provoke a “very strong confrontation.” Trump added that he “didn’t make a comment” on the matter but expressed “a lot of respect” for the Chinese leader.
The president said he has yet to decide on the arms sale and would “make a determination over the next early short period.” He also noted that he needs to speak to Taiwan’s leader first. “I think the last thing we need is a war,” Trump said, adding that the island is “9,500 miles away.”
The uncertainty marks a shift from Trump’s earlier posture. During his first term, his administration approved more than $18 billion in arms sales to Taiwan, a record that Taipei now cites as evidence of U.S. reliability. But his recent comments suggest a more cautious approach, possibly aimed at preserving the fragile détente achieved during his summit with Xi.
Analysts say the delay could embolden Beijing while alarming allies in the region. The arms package includes advanced missiles, radar systems, and naval equipment designed to bolster Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities. Supporters in Congress argue that withholding the sale would signal a weakening of U.S. commitments in the Indo-Pacific.
For now, Taipei is publicly expressing confidence in the bilateral relationship. But the ministry’s pointed statement underscores deep anxiety that Trump’s transactional diplomacy may put the arms deal on the chopping block.
