Trump Uncertain on $14B Taiwan Arms Deal After Xi Talks

President Donald Trump said on Friday that he remains uncertain about whether he will approve a planned $14 billion weapons package for Taiwan. This comes after he discussed arms sales with Chinese President Xi Jinping in "great detail."

The announcement follows a warning from Xi about the potential for "conflicts" over Taiwan. During the visit, Trump made clear that he did not want to provoke such a conflict.

"The last thing we need right now is a war that's 9,500 miles away," Trump told reporters on the plane returning to Washington, D.C.

Trump made this remark while discussing a $14 billion arms package, which includes missiles and air defense interceptors. His administration has delayed approval of the package for months.

Diverging Views on Deterrence

Some hawks in the U.S. Congress believe that offering Taiwan stronger support is the best way to deter a potential Chinese move on the self-governing island. However, other analysts argue that increased U.S. weapons and political support for Taiwan could encourage Beijing to use force.

Trump Questions 1982 'Six Assurances' Policy

Trump acknowledged that the U.S. had pledged under the 1982 "six assurances" policy not to consult with China regarding arms sales to Taiwan. He dismissed this commitment as outdated:

"What am I going to do, say I don't want to talk to you about it because I have an agreement wrote in 1982? No, we discussed arms sales." "I'll be making decisions," Trump said, before adding that his priority was to avoid war.

Concerns Among U.S. Allies

Trump's remarks have raised concerns in Taipei, as well as among U.S. allies in Japan and South Korea. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, known for her hawkish stance on Taiwan, has found herself increasingly at odds with the U.S. position. Takaichi revealed that Trump called her from Air Force One to provide a "detailed" briefing on his discussions with Xi.

Trump also stated on the plane that he would need to speak with "the person who... is running Taiwan" regarding the arms sales issue. Such a move would likely infuriate Beijing, as it would imply direct recognition of Taiwan's leadership.

Taiwan's Internal Debate

The arms sales issue remains sensitive in Taipei, even under the pro-autonomy Democratic Progressive Party. It took months for Taiwan's parliament to approve $25 billion in funding to proceed with the pending $14 billion package and an $11 billion tranche that Trump approved late last year. Earlier this month, Taiwan finally approved the funding.

Reports suggest that Xi warned Trump in a February call against further arms deliveries to Taiwan.

Fears Over U.S. Policy Shift

Before the summit, there were concerns that Trump might agree to alter official U.S. policy on Taiwan, potentially expressing explicit opposition to Taiwanese independence. Secretary of State Marco Rubio later confirmed that U.S. policy remained unchanged.

Instead, Trump emphasized that Taiwan is a significantly higher priority for Xi than it is for him.