Trump’s Ambiguous Stance on Taiwan Arms Sales After China Summit

On May 15, 2026, President Donald Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that he “has not decided on future sales” of a $14 billion weapons package for Taiwan and would decide “in the next fairly short period.” The comment followed a three-day summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, during which both leaders “talked a lot about Taiwan.”

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U.S. arms sales to Taiwan are mandated by the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, which obliges Washington to provide defensive weapons. The 1982 Six Assurances add that the United States “has not agreed to consult with the People’s Republic of China on arms sales to Taiwan.”

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The United States approved an $11 billion sale in December 2025 and a $14 billion follow-on package in January 2026; Taiwan’s parliament earmarked funds for U.S. weapons in its $40 billion defense budget.

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Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Ming-chi said, “Taiwan-U.S. arms sales have always been a cornerstone of regional peace and stability.” Taiwan’s foreign ministry added that the sales “are a U.S. security commitment … and a joint deterrence against regional threats.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio affirmed that “U.S. policy toward Taiwan remains unchanged.” Chinese spokesperson Zhang Han warned Beijing that the United States must “honour its commitments” and reiterated opposition to any arms transfers.

UsNews and World ReportTaiwan Says is an ‘Independent’ Nation After Trump’s WarningTaipei Times

Bipartisan lawmakers urged Trump to approve the deal. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) called for “arming Taiwan to deter Chairman Xi.” Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Thom Tillis (R-TN) warned that using the sale as a “bargaining chip” would breach the Six Assurances. Analyst Jack Burnham cautioned that the president’s remarks could “undermine a core U.S. commitment” and embolden Chinese coercion.

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Reuters and Bloomberg describe the $14 billion package as “awaiting Trump’s approval,” while other outlets note the deal “has not been made public.” Trump’s own comments are inconsistent: some reports quote him saying he “discussed arms sales with Xi in great detail,” others record him stating he “did not discuss the issue.” The timing of a final decision remains unclear.

Trump turns Taiwan arms sales into a bargaining chip in negotiations with China - NYT

Taiwan views the pending sale as essential to deter daily Chinese “grey-zone” patrols and cyber attacks. For Washington, the outcome will indicate whether strategic ambiguity endures or shifts toward a transactional approach that could reshape U.S.–China relations.

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• “Taiwan-U.S. arms sales have always been a cornerstone of regional peace and stability,” — Chen Ming-chi, Deputy Foreign Minister of Taiwan

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• “The Taiwan issue is the most important issue in China-US relations,” — Xi Jinping (as reported)

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• “It was raised, they always raise it on their side, we always make clear our position, and we move on to the other topics.” — Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State

Bloomberg

Trump has signaled a decision “in the next fairly short period.” Xi is slated to visit the United States in September, a meeting that could further test the pending arms sale and the broader U.S.–China strategic balance.

CNN