WASHINGTON/BEIJING – US President Donald Trump said on May 11 that he would discuss the topic of arms sales to Taiwan with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing this week.
“I’m going to have that discussion with President Xi,” Mr Trump told reporters at the White House when asked about Washington’s longstanding support for Taiwan’s defence. “President Xi would like us not to, and I’ll have that discussion. That’s one of the many things I’ll be talking about.”
China claims the democratically governed island as its own, a contention Taiwan rejects. Washington follows a “one China policy,” acknowledging China’s position but taking no view on Taiwan’s sovereignty.
The US is Taiwan’s most important international backer and is bound by law to help with its defence. The arms transfers are a long source of friction in US-China relations. In December, Mr Trump announced the largest ever US weapons package for the island, more than US$11 billion (S$14 billion).
In recent days, the Republican president’s aides have urged Taiwan to commit even more money to its defence, and a US official said the Trump-Xi summit signalled no change in policy towards Taiwan.
Speaking to reporters, Mr Trump repeated his doubt that tension over the island would erupt during his presidency.
“I don’t think it’ll happen,” Mr Trump said, without specifying further exactly what he meant. “I think we’ll be fine. I have a very good relationship with President Xi. He knows I don’t want that to happen.” REUTERS
