TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — American policy on Taiwan remains the same, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on Sunday, in an attempt to downplay suggestions of a rift in US support for Taiwan.
Greer said, “The issue of Taiwan arms sales is something the Chinese always raise. So, the president’s considering how to approach that,” Politico.“The president’s very focused on making sure that nothing happens there,” he added.
Following his meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Trump told the media on Friday that they discussed arms sales to Taiwan “in great detail” and that he is assessing how to proceed with a NT$442.68 billion (US$14 billion) arms package to Taiwan, Politico reported.
Speaking to Fox News host Bret Baier, Trump said: “I may do it, I may not do it. I’m holding that in abeyance, and it depends on China. It’s a very good negotiating chip for us, frankly. It’s a lot of weapons.”
Greer defended the president’s comments, saying, “The reality is, it’s really important for the United States and China to have a stable relationship."
However, Trump’s talks with Xi about arms sales to Taiwan could violate the 1982 Six Assurances, in which the US pledged not to set a date for ending arms sales to Taiwan and not to consult with China on arms sales to Taiwan, Politico said.
Trump's remarks may also be flouting the Taiwan Relations Act, which commits the US to continue providing defensive weapons to Taiwan and to “maintain the capacity” to counter any coercion or attack on Taiwan, according to Politico.
