TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A Taiwanese national security official on Wednesday cautioned that Beijing could use the KMT’s cuts to US arms procurement funds to persuade US President Donald Trump to reduce or halt defense support for Taiwan.

China could argue that Taiwan’s legislature opposes purchasing weapons and that the US should respect Taiwanese public opinion, the official said, adding that this would represent Taiwan’s greatest risk, CNA reported.

Trump is slated to arrive in Beijing on Wednesday for a summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

The official said many observers mistakenly frame Taiwan’s arms purchases in terms of cross-strait relations, leading to the false assumption that better cross-strait ties mean less need for military preparedness, per CNA. In reality, countries in the first island chain are increasing defense readiness in response to China’s growing threat.

For the US, the security of the first island chain and stability in the Western Pacific remain core national interests, the official said. Washington increasingly views Taiwan as a critical node in the global semiconductor supply chain and recognizes Taiwan’s strategic geographic position linking Indo-Pacific shipping lanes and regional security structures, he said.

The official added that Taiwan’s security has significant implications for both US economic and strategic interests, according to CNA.

The US continues working to help Taiwan build a military capable of deterring aggression along the first island chain, the official said. Rather than worrying about becoming a bargaining chip, Taiwan should focus on ensuring it remains indispensable, he said.