China Blocks Colby Beijing Visit Over $14B Taiwan Arms Package
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- China is holding up a proposed Beijing visit by Pentagon Under Secretary of Defence for Policy Elbridge Colby, signalling it cannot approve the trip until Trump decides how to proceed on a $14 billion (S$17.9 billion) US weapons package for Taiwan, the Financial Times reported on May 21.
- Elbridge Colby had discussed a summer visit to Beijing with Chinese officials, but Beijing conditioned approval on Trump's decision on the arms package, per people familiar with the talks cited by the FT.
- Donald Trump said on May 20 he has not decided whether to proceed with the major weapons sale, and told reporters he would speak with Taiwan President Lai Ching-te — described as an unprecedented move for a US president.
- The Trump-Lai call had not yet been scheduled as of the report, according to a person familiar with the matter, with the FT noting that any direct US-Taiwan presidential conversation would ordinarily anger Beijing.
- US administration officials noted Trump has approved more weapons sales to Taiwan than any other US president, even as Trump has repeatedly described his relationship with Xi Jinping as 'amazing.'
- US law requires Washington to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself, and both Republican and Democratic lawmakers have urged the Trump administration to continue with weapons sales.
- Taiwan Defence Minister Wellington Koo said on May 19 he was 'cautiously optimistic' about US arms sales, while the Pentagon and China's Foreign Ministry did not immediately comment on the FT report.
Why it matters: China is weaponizing diplomatic access — blocking a senior Pentagon policy official's Beijing visit — to pressure Trump on a $14B Taiwan arms package. Trump faces a statutory mandate to arm Taiwan, bipartisan congressional support for the sales, a record of approving more Taiwan weapons than any predecessor, and a touted 'amazing' relationship with Xi Jinping — all while floating an unprecedented direct call with Taiwan's president.
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