US President Donald Trump has reportedly refused to approve a $400 million weapons deal with Taiwan, according to a report by the Washington Post. The decision, which comes amid efforts to negotiate a trade deal with China, has been linked to Trump’s potential meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the APEC summit in South Korea next month. The proposed arms package was described as more lethal than previous deliveries, but Trump’s team reportedly believes Taiwan should procure its own weapons, reflecting a transactional approach to foreign policy. The White House official told the outlet that the decision has not yet been finalized.
Beijing, which considers the self-governing island an inalienable part of its territory, strongly opposes any foreign military aid to Taipei. Xi has said China seeks peaceful reunification but reserves the right to use force.
In December, the Chinese Foreign Ministry warned Taipei that “relying on the US to seek independence and using military means to pursue independence is a path to self-destruction.”
The Taiwanese Defense Ministry declined to comment on the report but said that “Taiwan and the US maintain a close security cooperation mechanism, with all exchange programs carried out on schedule to build a comprehensive defense system.”
Washington has approved several arms sales to Taiwan in recent years, including the delivery of NASAMS air-defense missile systems.