Trump and Xi Jinping to Discuss Taiwan Arms Sales

President Trump will raise the issue of US arms sales to Taiwan when he meets Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing this week. Trump is scheduled to arrive in Beijing on Wednesday. Talks between the two leaders are set for Thursday and Friday.

This will be Trump's first trip to China in nine years. Trump told reporters at the White House he plans to address the matter directly. “I’m going to have that discussion with President Xi. President Xi would like us not to, and I’ll have that discussion.

That’s one of the many things I’ll be talking about,” he said. The president announced a weapons package for Taiwan worth more than $11bn in December. The $11bn weapons package for Taiwan was the largest in history.

Trump said he does not think a conflict with China over Taiwan will happen. “I don’t think it’ll happen,” he stated. “I think we’ll be fine. I have a very good relationship with President Xi. ” In December, China launched a series of provocative military drills simulating a blockade of Taiwanese ports.

The military drills were seen by many as a warning against outside forces aiding Taiwan. China has condemned US weapons sales to Taiwan. The US takes no official position on Taiwanese sovereignty. The US has called on Taipei and Beijing to peacefully resolve questions about the island’s status.

US defence support for Taiwan has long been a source of tension with Beijing, which claims the island as an essential part of its territory. The self-governed island has rejected threats of Chinese military force and insisted that its people must be free to decide their future.

The US is Taiwan’s most important backer and has provided the island with weapons that could be used to counter a potential Chinese assault.