Taiwan’s government has urged the United States to move ahead with a reported second arms package after President Donald Trump’s summit with China’s Xi Jinping.
Trump told Fox News after the Beijing meeting that he has not yet decided on additional weapons sales to Taiwan, saying he might approve them or might not. Media reports, including Reuters and The New York Times, say a second package valued at roughly $14 billion is awaiting presidential sign-off. In December the administration approved a separate, record $11 billion arms sale.
Taiwan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Ming-chi said Taipei will continue to communicate with Washington to understand US intentions, and declined to comment further because details of the alleged second package have not been made public.
President Lai Ching-te’s office, through spokesperson Karen Kuo, stressed that China’s military pressure is the primary destabilizing factor in the Indo-Pacific and that US arms sales to Taiwan reflect Washington’s commitment under the Taiwan Relations Act while also helping deter regional threats.
Under the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979, the US is obliged by law to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself. Taiwan’s foreign ministry reiterated that the island is a sovereign, independent democratic nation and not subordinate to the People’s Republic of China.
China’s Xi has warned that mishandling the Taiwan issue could create an “extremely dangerous situation,” and Beijing continues to press for closer control over the island, leaving the prospect of force on the table. Taiwan was a prominent topic during the Trump–Xi talks, and analysts say the discussions may have tested Washington’s longstanding practice of avoiding consultations with Beijing over Taiwan policy.
Trump said US policy toward Taiwan has not changed but cautioned Taiwan against a formal declaration of independence and indicated he would make a decision on weapons sales “over the next fairly short period.” Taipei is pressing for clarity and timely reassurance from Washington on defense supplies as regional tensions remain high.