Congressional leaders from both parties are pressing President Donald Trump to proceed with a $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan after his recent summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, where Trump refrained from committing to the sale or publicly committing to defend Taiwan against potential Chinese aggression.
After departing Beijing, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that he discussed Taiwan with Xi, who emphasized its importance in China-U.S. relations. According to Chinese state media, Xi stated the Taiwan issue is “the most important” and warned that improper handling could lead to clashes or conflicts between the two countries. Xi also characterized “Taiwan independence” and cross-Strait peace as fundamentally incompatible.
Trump described the pending arms sale as a “very good negotiating chip” and indicated he had not yet decided whether to approve it. “I may do it, I may not do it,” he told Fox News, adding that both Taiwan and China should “cool it a little bit.”
The failure to finalize the arms sale so far has raised concerns on Capitol Hill, where Taiwan has traditionally been a strong bipartisan priority. The package, approved by Congress in January, has been delayed for four months without presidential certification.
Republican Rep. Michael McCaul, former chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said the U.S. must “arm Taiwan so they can defend themselves for deterrence against Chairman Xi.” McCaul described Xi’s stance as “very aggressive” during the summit and expressed urgency for a decision on the arms sale.
Democratic Rep. Gregory Meeks, ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, also emphasized the need for Taiwan to have adequate defenses. Meeks noted that while Xi may have leverage over the president, he does not have control over Congress or the American people. Meeks criticized the delay, stating, “Congress has already acted on the package, and the president is the one that’s holding it up.”
Speaker Mike Johnson reaffirmed his support for Taiwan’s independence and security but said he had not yet received a full briefing on Trump’s talks with Xi.
Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick compared Taiwan to Ukraine, describing both as “fortresses of democracy” on the front lines and called for strengthened U.S. support.
Why it matters
The approval of the arms sale is seen as a critical element in maintaining U.S. deterrence in the Taiwan Strait amid ongoing Chinese military pressure. Delays in weapons transfers risk emboldening Beijing and destabilizing the delicate balance in cross-Strait relations. Bipartisan support in Congress underscores Taiwan’s role as a key U.S. strategic partner in the Indo-Pacific.
Background
The U.S. announced an $11 billion arms sale to Taiwan in late 2025, the largest in decades, provoking Beijing and triggering Chinese military exercises around Taiwan. The larger $14 billion package, approved by Congress earlier this year, remains pending presidential certification, contributing to bipartisan frustration. Taiwan’s defense capabilities and the potential for U.S. intervention remain central flashpoints in U.S.-China relations.
Sources
This article is based on reporting and publicly available information from the following source:
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