Xi Expected to Press Trump to Halt Taiwan Arms Sales

Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to urge U.S. President Donald Trump to halt arms sales to Taiwan during their meeting in Washington this week, according to three sources familiar with discussions between the two countries.

The sources said Xi could cite the 1982 U.S.-China joint communiqué, in which Washington said it intended to gradually reduce arms sales to Taiwan and did not seek long-term weapons sales to Taipei. However, a memorandum by then-President Ronald Reagan said the policy was conditional on China's continued commitment to resolving differences with Taiwan peacefully.

China has also asked the United States to stop deliveries of weapons already ordered by Taiwan, the sources said. Xi could argue that Taiwan is the main source of instability in U.S.-China relations. In return, China may offer to help Washington put pressure on Iran amid the ongoing Middle East war, according to the sources.

Under U.S. law, Washington is required to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself, despite the absence of formal diplomatic relations. The United States follows a “one China” policy and does not take an official position on Taiwan's sovereignty, while acknowledging Beijing's position that Taiwan is part of China.

The Trump administration approved an $11 billion arms package for Taiwan in December, the largest such package at the time. A separate package worth about $14 billion has been on hold for months. Trump described the package in May as a “very good negotiating chip” after meeting Xi in Beijing.

Xi is due to arrive in Washington on Wednesday. The two leaders are scheduled to hold formal talks on Thursday, followed by Xi's visit to the U.S. National Archives on Friday.

Taiwan's foreign ministry said it was closely monitoring the high-level U.S.-China exchanges and maintaining communication with Washington. Several senior U.S. Republican lawmakers have also urged Trump to maintain U.S. support for Taiwan.

Source: Reuters