Trump balks at $14bn Taiwan arms deal after Xi talks
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- Trump told reporters on his return flight that he is uncertain about approving a $14 billion arms package for Taiwan after a detailed discussion with Xi Jinping.
- Trump referenced the 1982 “six assurances” policy, saying he will not be bound by an agreement that forbids consulting China on Taiwan arms sales and dismissed the promise as outdated.
- Taiwan's parliament appropriated $25 billion to fund the pending $14 billion package and an $11 billion tranche approved by Trump late last year, and approved the funding earlier this month.
- Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi received a detailed briefing from Trump on the talks and noted his hawkish line on Taiwan appears out of step with the U.S. posture.
- Marco Rubio affirmed that U.S. policy toward Taiwan remains unchanged despite Trump’s comments.
- Xi warned Trump against further arms deliveries to Taiwan in a February call, a warning that preceded the current uncertainty over the $14 billion deal.
Why it matters: Taiwan and its allies lose a clear U.S. commitment to bolster the island’s defenses, while the delay heightens regional tension and leaves Beijing emboldened; the $14 billion package, already funded by Taiwan’s parliament, remains in limbo, affecting deterrence calculations and could influence U.S. diplomatic leverage.
