President Trump’s Taiwan Arms Deal as a Bargain with China

President Trump openly considered delaying a $14 billion arms package to Taiwan, which stands as a strategic advantage for China. The implication being that China might now explore ways to delay these weapons deliveries for as long as possible.

By presenting U.S. arms sales to Taiwan as a bargaining tool with China, President Trump handed an advantage to China’s leader, Xi Jinping. These maneuvers align with Xi’s ambitions to weaken Taiwan’s government.

On Monday, Chinese state media capitalized on Trump’s remarks, conveying a message both domestically and to Taiwan: the United States may not be a reliable ally in defending Taiwan, an island democracy claimed as Chinese territory. The Global Times, a Chinese newspaper, reported that President Lai Ching-te of Taiwan and his Democratic Progressive Party could no longer depend on unwavering support from the U.S., quoting a Chinese researcher.

Security measures cannot be assured through military expenditures, according to Col. Jiang Bin, a representative of China’s Ministry of National Defense. He asserted on Monday that Taiwan risks being exploited if it continues as a pawn.

Trump’s comments emerged over the weekend, following his departure from a summit with Xi in Beijing on Friday. He announced he was postponing a decision on a $14 billion weapon package for Taiwan, labeling it a ‘very good negotiating chip’ for discussions with Beijing.

‘I’m holding that in abeyance; it depends on China,’ Trump said during a Fox News interview. However, he did not elaborate on what actions he expected China to undertake as a trade-off.