Taiwan watches Xi-Trump meeting closely, hopes US arms sales continue
Taiwan is closely monitoring a high-level meeting between Xi Jinping and Donald Trump, hoping that U.S. arms sales will continue despite Chinese pressure. Meanwhile, Taiwan has showcased its domestically produced 'Cheetah' armored vehicle to emphasize its commitment to self-defense.
Why it matters
The intersection of U.S.-China diplomacy and Taiwan's defense procurement is a critical flashpoint for geopolitical stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
As China's Xi Jinping arrives in Washington to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump , Taiwan expressed confidence that U.S. arms sales to the island that Beijing claims as its own will continue -- despite China's pressure.
China has pressed Washington to halt the arms sales, most prominently during a summit in May between Mr. Trump and Mr. Xi in Beijing. After that meeting, the United States paused the sale of a record-breaking $14 billion package -- and Mr. Trump described arms sales to Taiwan as a “very good negotiating chip” with China.
Still, the U.S. government and Congress have “repeatedly expressed support for Taiwan's self-defence capabilities,” Taiwanese Defence Ministry spokesperson Maj. Gen. Chiao Fu-chun told reporters in the southern city of Tainan.
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