Trump turns Taiwan arms sales into a bargaining chip in negotiations with China - NYT
Kyiv • UNN
Trump has delayed $14 billion in arms sales to Taiwan for the sake of negotiations with China. The fate of air defense and missile deliveries now depends on decisions from Beijing.
U.S. President Donald Trump described a potential multi-billion dollar arms sale to Taiwan as a "bargaining chip" with China, raising new doubts about the pace and scale of American military support for the island democracy, reports The New York Times, according to UNN.
Details
The Taiwan government has been waiting for months for Trump to approve a $14 billion package that includes missiles, anti-drone equipment, and air defenses designed to bolster the island against Beijing's military threats.
Trump himself has pressured Taiwan to increase its own defense spending. Now, he is using the very weapons his administration pushed the island to purchase as leverage against China, the United States' primary adversary, the publication writes.
Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One after departing China on Friday that he discussed the arms package with Chinese President Xi Jinping during their summit last week in Beijing. In an interview with Fox News, he was asked if he would approve the deal with Taiwan.
"No, I've held it back for a while, and it all depends on China," he said in the interview, recorded in Beijing but aired after his departure. "It all depends."
"Frankly, it's a very good bargaining chip for us in the negotiations," he said. "It's a lot of weapons."
He did not go into detail about what he wanted in return, but Trump has been pushing China for large purchases of American aircraft, ethanol, soybeans, beef, and sorghum.
His comments appear to undermine assurances given to Taiwan by some members of his own administration that U.S. support for the island is steadfast and non-negotiable. Before the summit, a bipartisan group of senators urged that support for Taiwan not be allowed to become a bargaining chip in negotiations with China.
"Presumably, Trump will indefinitely delay the delivery of $14 billion worth of weaponry to Taiwan, hoping that Beijing will meet his economic demands," said Amanda Hsiao, China director at the Eurasia Group consultancy.
By stating that his approval of the arms deal "depends on China," Trump seemed to imply that the ball is now in their court. Beijing did not immediately comment on Trump's remarks. The Taiwan government sought to quickly smooth over any tensions, stating that U.S. officials have repeatedly assured them that U.S. policy remains unchanged.
Trump also appeared eager to show that he was listening closely to Xi's views, saying in the interview that after a long conversation with the Chinese leader: "I think I know more about Taiwan now than almost any country."
But later, he also raised the possibility that he might call the President of Taiwan, a move that would undoubtedly infuriate Beijing.
"I have to talk to the person who is now — you know who he is — running Taiwan," he said, likely referring to Taiwanese leader Lai Ching-te.
If Trump does so, he would become the first sitting U.S. president known to have spoken with a Taiwanese leader since at least 1979, when the United States severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan as part of its recognition of the People's Republic of China. China strongly objects to any contact between high-ranking U.S. and Taiwanese officials.
Trump's cunning maneuver could backfire, either by angering Beijing if he approves the arms sale, or potentially by prompting U.S. lawmakers to increase pressure on him to bolster support for Taiwan, the publication notes.
Analysts say that if Xi wants to punish the Trump administration over Taiwan, China could withhold orders for agricultural products or tighten export restrictions on rare earth elements, which are essential for many technological components. However, Xi also agreed to make a state visit to the United States this year and could use the prospect of further negotiations — and additional deals — to influence Trump.