&imwidth=800&imheight=600&format=webp&quality=medium "Trump says he will speak to Taiwan President amid arms sale tensions with China")
US President Donald Trump said that he will speak directly with Taiwan’s President, Lai Ching-te, about a possible arms sale, which would be a sharp departure from historical precedent. Formal talks between US and Taiwanese leaders have been almost nonexistent since 1979, when Washington severed ties with Taiwan to recognise the government in Beijing. This comes as US President Donald Trump concluded a high-stakes presidential summit in Beijing, where Trump discussed the arms package in great detail with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
“l’ll speak to him. I speak to everybody. We have that situation very well in hand,” said Trump on Wednesday. China has made the Taiwan issue a central part of its narrative at the summit. “Taiwan question is the most important issue in China-US relations”, said Chinese officials in a statement following the meeting.
Earlier today, acting US Navy Secretary Hung Cao testified before a Senate committee that the $14 billion arms deal to Taiwan has been put on a temporary pause to maintain the depleting ammunition stockpile of the military amid the war in Iran. President Trump has publicly acknowledged that the massive defence package is a powerful "negotiating chip". This will alert Taiwan supporters on Capitol Hill, as withholding weapon sales to Taiwan would also violate the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, which “provides Taiwan with arms of a defensive character”.
"We're just making sure we have everything, but then the foreign military sales will continue when the administration deems necessary," said acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao.
US President Donald Trump has previously spoken to Taiwan’s then-President Tsai Ing-wen when he took a congratulatory call after winning the 2016 presidential election, which irked Beijing. According to a report by Financial Times, Beijing is currently holding a proposed visit from the Pentagon's top policy official, Elbridge Colby, until Trump finalises his decision on the arms sale.
Trending Stories
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
)
Woman used AI to tell court what happened the night her ex-boyfriend 'raped' her. It was a bad idea
)
'First dumb AI': Meta AI blocks Indian PM Modi's video in his own country, allows abuse ads and deletes livelihoods without explanation
)
India avoids higher US tariff, secures lower 10% rate. Here's how
)
He predicted COVID-19 and 2008 economic crisis, was labeled fearmonger. Now he has another dire warning
)
Sadie Sink's leaked Spider-Man: Brand New Day clip fuels fresh Jean Grey speculation
)
RSS backed Jantar Mantar student protest? Mohan Bhagwat's 'question authority' remark resurfaces
)
ChatGPT invoked God, told pastor not to worry about his symptoms. Then pulmonary embolism hit
)
Rahul Gandhi slams BJP for felicitating Dharmendra Pradhan in Parliament, accuses Modi government of 'celebrating ruined futures'
)
'Islamic Republic will never make a deal with the US': Iran deputy speaker echoes Araghchi’s remark
)
NEET Protests riddled with misinformation? Delhi Police blocks 480 Pakistan-based handles spreading 'fake news' since Operation Sindoor
)
'Spreading deepfakes, deleted PM Modi's video': Why Meta AI should be banned in India for interfering in Indian economy and democracy
)
'Very unimpactful': Trump downplays Russian support for Iran, promises to 'ask Putin' about Zelensky's claims
)
Delhi Police issues BIG statement on viral 'don't leave national capital without permission' notice | FACT CHECK
)
Over 70% of Indian suicides abroad occur in Gulf countries, MEA data shows
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
)
China deploying advanced fighter jets closer to India's northern frontier
)
Who will benefit from Kapil Sibal's ₹1 crore legal aid fund for NEET protesters? This is what we know
)
Giant iceberg flips violently near Greenland exposing its underside - 'I didn't know they could do that'
)
Assam floods: Over 4.45 lakh affected across six districts; 631 villages inundated, Charaideo worst-hit
)
Asim Munir eyes defence deal with Qatar & Turkiye after Kuwait as Pakistan seeks investments | Gravitas
)
'Worst quality AI in market': Meta AI's moderation fail hits PM Modi and Indian Democracy
)
‘Kill Melania, Barron’: Why is IRGC-linked media outlet urging ‘freedom fighters’ to assassinate Trump’s family? WATCH
)
CWG 2026: India enter top 10 with six medals on day 5 of Glasgow games
)
'Broader struggle for democracy...': Greta Thunberg joins Indian students protest in London - What she said
)
Russia-Ukraine War: Russia drops 3-tonne Glide bombs on Ukraine
)
NEET aspirant ends her life in Maharashtra after falling 11 marks short of cut-off
)
Netanyahu to present Trump with fresh intel on Iran's SECRET 'Pickaxe Mountain' nuclear site: Report
)
3,000 years ago, humanity spoke thousands of languages — then fell silent. Where did they all go?
)
Tom Cruise's daughter Suri drops his surname; adopts Katie Holmes' middle name Noelle
)
Jennifer Lopez's ex-husband Ojani Noa claims he confronted Sean 'Diddy' Combs over alleged affair
During the Trump-Xi meeting, Trump issued statements saying that the island is a "sovereign, independent democratic country" and peace in the Taiwan Strait will not be "sacrificed or traded away". On the other hand, China urged the US to "stop sending wrong signals to the separatist forces in Taiwan." The US finds itself in a tough balancing situation between its legally mandated support for Taiwan and its critical need for Beijing’s cooperation, while American military resources are heavily consumed by the war with Iran
