Washington – The White House on Wednesday declined to comment on reports that President Donald Trump is considering delaying or cancelling a major arms package to Taiwan, reportedly valued at $11 billion, as he prepares for a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in April. The potential shift in policy comes amid increasing pressure from Beijing and raises concerns about the future of U.S. Support for Taiwan.
The discussion of potential arms sales with China, revealed by Trump on Monday, has sparked debate over whether it violates decades-old foreign policy principles. Experts suggest the move could signal a change in U.S. Policy toward Taiwan, a self-ruled island claimed by China. The situation highlights the delicate balance Trump is attempting to strike between maintaining a relationship with China and upholding commitments to Taiwan’s defense.
“I’ve talked to him about it. We had a good conversation, and we’ll make a determination pretty soon,” Trump told journalists, referring to his discussion with Xi. He added that he has “a very good relationship with President Xi.” This statement followed reports from the South China Morning Post that the White House is weighing options to avoid escalating tensions with Beijing ahead of the planned summit.
White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt offered no further details when pressed on the matter, stating, “I don’t have any announcement or updates to share.” The potential delay or cancellation of the arms sale has drawn criticism from some who argue it undermines U.S. Credibility and sends the wrong message to Taiwan.
The Six Assurances and Potential Precedent
The core of the concern revolves around the “Six Assurances,” a set of U.S. Policy principles established in 1982 under President Ronald Reagan. These assurances, while not legally binding, have guided U.S. Relations with Taiwan for decades. Specifically, the second assurance states that the U.S. Does not consult with China on arms sales to Taiwan. William Yang, a senior Northeast Asia analyst for the International Crisis Group, argued that consulting Xi on arms sales to Taiwan “may violate” the Six Assurances, potentially setting a “dangerous precedent.”
Ryan Hass, China director at the Brookings Institution and a former director with the National Security Council, echoed this sentiment on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Beijing has sought for decades to condition Washington to consult with it ahead of Taiwan arms sales. Previous administrations have refused, in line with Six Assurances. Regardless of what Trump decides, Trump has gifted Xi a win by setting new precedent.”
Congressional Concerns and China’s Response
The possibility of altering the long-standing policy has also prompted a response from Congress. Democrats on the House Foreign Affairs Committee expressed their disapproval on social media, stating, “It’s unacceptable for Trump to run America’s Taiwan policy or arms sales decisions by Beijing for pre-clearance.”
China, unsurprisingly, has voiced its opposition to any arms sales to Taiwan. The Chinese embassy in Washington stated that it firmly opposes such sales and expects the U.S. To “handle the issue of arms sales in Taiwan with prudence,” according to reports. Beijing views Taiwan as a renegade province that must eventually be reunified with the mainland, by force if necessary.
Balancing Act and Economic Leverage
Analysts suggest Trump is attempting to navigate a complex situation, balancing the desire for a productive summit with Xi and the need to maintain support for Taiwan. Bonnie Glaser, managing director with the German Marshall Fund of the United States, explained that Trump “doesn’t want to look weak, and so he wants to handle it in a way that he doesn’t offend Xi Jinping and undermine the prospects of having a good summit.”
This situation also comes as China appears to be wielding increasing economic leverage over the U.S. Trump previously rolled back tariffs on Chinese goods after China halted shipments of rare earth minerals and soybeans, impacting American farmers. The Pentagon also recently announced and then withdrew a list of Chinese military companies, potentially as a gesture to ease tensions ahead of the summit, as reported by the South China Morning Post.
Analysts anticipate that Trump will likely seek a way to postpone the arms sale, rather than cancel it outright. Jeremy Chan, senior analyst at Eurasia Group, stated, “Washington will likely delay but not cancel the arms package for Taiwan until after Trump’s visit.”
What to Watch Next
Key developments to watch include the timing of any announcement regarding the arms package, its ultimate size, and the impact on the broader U.S.-China trade relationship. The situation remains fluid, and the outcome will likely depend on the dynamics of the upcoming summit between Trump and Xi. The Legislative Yuan in Taiwan also faces the challenge of securing funding for any potential arms purchases, a process complicated by internal political divisions.
This developing story underscores the ongoing complexities of U.S.-China relations and the delicate balance required to navigate the issues surrounding Taiwan. Share your thoughts in the comments below.