US hawks push Trump on multibillion-dollar Taiwan arms deal ahead of Xi summit

Washington has reopened discussions on a potential $14 billion arms deal for Taiwan, a move that could complicate an upcoming summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The potential sale, confirmed by senior Republican lawmaker Michael McCaul, includes "critical military defense articles."

McCaul, speaking at a security forum during his third visit to Taiwan, expressed confidence that Trump would soon submit the package to Congress. However, observers are skeptical the deal will be finalized before Xi's trip to the U.S., warning that Taiwan remains a "strict red line" for Beijing and any arms package could derail bilateral talks.

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I am confident the president will forward soon another package to Congress with an additional US$14 billion in critical military defence articles.

The Trump administration has kept the package under review, with the president previously describing it as a "very good negotiating chip" with Beijing. The potential $14 billion sale would exceed a historic arms package approved late last year, which prompted strong condemnation from China and led to military exercises near the island.

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a very good negotiating chip