Taiwan Pushes for US Arms Sales as Xi Visits Washington — SkimNews
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- Taiwan's Defence Ministry expressed confidence US arms sales will continue despite Chinese pressure, with spokesperson Maj. Gen. Chiao Fu-chun saying Taipei will maintain close contact with the 'U.S. Department of War' to push the procurement deal forward 'as planned.'
- After a May summit in Beijing, the United States paused a record-breaking $14 billion arms package to Taiwan, and Trump described arms sales to Taiwan as a 'very good negotiating chip' with China.
- Washington approved another $11 billion package for Taiwan in December, and the US is bound by law to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself despite not formally recognizing it as a country.
- Hours before Xi's arrival for his September 23, 2026 state visit, Taiwan's military conducted live-fire drills featuring 'The Cheetah,' a domestically developed eight-wheeled armoured vehicle fitted with a 105mm cannon and a 500km operational range.
- Trump has pressed Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te to dramatically raise Taiwan's defence budget, which will exceed 3% of GDP for the first time in 2027, with Lai pledging to reach 5% by 2030.
Why it matters: Taiwan is publicly projecting confidence on a $14 billion paused package and a fresh $11 billion approval while China actively lobbies Trump to halt sales he once called a 'very good negotiating chip.' Taipei's parallel move — unveiling the domestically built 'Cheetah' armoured vehicle hours before Xi landed — signals it is hedging against becoming a bargaining chip in a deal struck over its head.
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