Trump Casts Doubt on Taiwan Weapons After China Visit
Trump visited China for two days and met with President Xi Jinping. Xi asked Trump directly if the US would defend Taiwan.
Trump said he does not discuss whether the US would defend Taiwan. He told Xi he made no commitment either way.
Trump then raised doubts about an $14 billion weapons package for Taiwan. The package had been approved for Taiwan before the visit.
Trump also discussed US arms sales with Xi in great detail. The US has a long-standing promise to Taiwan not to consult Beijing on arms sales.
Those talks may have tested that promise. Trump and Xi also discussed Iran and trade.
Both sides agreed Iran should not get a nuclear weapon. No trade breakthroughs were confirmed after the visit.
Klear Note — Taiwan is an island China claims as its own. The US sells weapons to Taiwan to help it defend itself. This angers China's government.
Key Terms 4
- Taiwan Island near China that the US has long promised to support
- weapons package A set of military weapons approved for sale to Taiwan
- arms sales When one country sells weapons to another country
- Xi Jinping President and leader of China