Xi to urge Trump to halt Taiwan arms sales during Washington visit
China's leader is expected to press President Trump to stop U.S. weapons shipments to Taiwan, citing a 1982 joint communique, as the two sides meet in Washington this week.
China's President Xi Jinping is slated to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington and is expected to raise Beijing's interpretation of a 1982 joint communique that calls for a gradual reduction of American arms sales to Taiwan. Sources familiar with the talks said Xi may also ask the United States to halt deliveries of weapons already ordered by Taipei.
The United States, which is legally obliged to provide Taiwan with defensive capabilities despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties, has recently approved a large $11 billion weapons package for the island, the largest ever, while a second $14 billion package remains pending. A White House official indicated that Trump will decide on the pending package soon.
Beijing has repeatedly framed Taiwan as a source of regional instability and has increased military activity around the island in recent years. The Chinese foreign ministry declined to comment, but a state newspaper warned that mishandling the Taiwan issue could push Sino-U.S. relations toward a dangerous situation.
U.S. lawmakers have voiced support for maintaining the current policy toward Taiwan. Senator Pete Ricketts said the United States must continue to deter any forceful takeover of the island, and Representative John Moolenaar urged Trump to reject Chinese objections to arms sales.
The summit, which includes formal talks on Thursday and a visit to the National Archives on Friday, will also see China offering to pressure Iran over the Middle East conflict, according to the same sources.