Trump Says Taiwan Arms Sales Are Negotiating Chip
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- Trump met Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday and the White House readout omitted any mention of Taiwan.
- Trump later told reporters on Air Force One he would soon decide on multibillion‑dollar weapons packages for Taiwan, calling the sales a “very good negotiating chip.”
- Trump said in a Fox News interview he was “not looking” to travel 9,500 miles to fight a war in Taiwan’s defense and that he was “not looking to have somebody go independent.”
- Lai Ching-te said U.S. arms sales are the “most important deterrent” and Taiwan’s security is a “core global interest.”
- J Michael Cole cautioned that Trump’s statements are often contradictory, noting that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio affirmed Washington’s continued commitment to the status quo.
Why it matters: Taiwan's defense strategy hinges on U.S. arms sales, while Trump's vague stance fuels Beijing's propaganda and alarms Taipei, risking heightened regional tension and undermining deterrence.
