By AAMER MADHANI, WILL WEISSERT and SIMINA MISTREANU Associated Press
President Donald Trump says he's not yet made a decision on whether a major sale of U.S. arms to Taiwan can move forward following his three-day visit to China. The president spoke to reporters Friday as he flew back on Air Force One. Trump's Republican administration has authorized the sale, but it has yet to proceed. Some Republicans in Congress expressed displeasure at the president's comments on weapons to Taiwan. China opposes the deal and has suggested that Washington's relationship with the self-governing island is the key factor in China-U.S. relations. Trump also says he raised a potential three-way nuclear deal involving the U.S., Russia and China.
By AAMER MADHANI and SIMINA MISTREANU Associated Press
President Donald Trump has demonstrated greater ambivalence toward Taiwan in his second term. That's raising questions about the Republican president's commitment to maintaining American support for the self-ruled island ahead of this week's summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. In December, Trump authorized an $11 billion arms package for Taiwan but delayed its delivery and discussed the sale with Xi. Trump said Monday he expects Xi will ask him to hold back on arming Taiwan. Trump has accused Taiwan of "stealing" America's semiconductor business and pressured it to invest in U.S. tech sectors. Analysts say Xi might urge Trump to loosen ties with Taiwan, which Beijing views as its breakaway province.
Taiwan's opposition leader has met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, marking the first such encounter in over a decade. Both sides affirmed the need for peace around Taiwan, which China claims as its territory. Xi and Cheng Li-wun, head of the Kuomingtang Party, expressed a desire for peaceful reunification. China has increased military exercises around Taiwan. Cheng opposes large defense spending increases in Taiwan and has blocked a special defense budget. Both leaders upheld the 1992 Consensus, opposing Taiwan's independence, and aim to prevent the Taiwan Strait from becoming a conflict flash point.
