TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping did not respond when asked whether Taiwan was discussed following bilateral talks at the White House on Thursday, according to CNA.
Reuters reported that Xi was expected to discuss US arms sales to Taiwan during the meeting and seek an end to such sales.
According to China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency, Xi said during the meeting that Beijing’s position on safeguarding national unity and territorial integrity was clear. He called on Washington to approach matters concerning Taiwan with caution to support US-China cooperation and the development of bilateral relations.
A Taiwanese security official said delays in US arms sales could slow Taiwan’s efforts to strengthen its defenses. It could also give Beijing more room to challenge the US security presence along the first island chain, which runs from Japan through Taiwan and the Philippines to parts of Southeast Asia, according to UDN and the Institute for National Defense and Security Research.
Trump described the meeting as “great” but did not provide details about the talks. He declined to answer reporters who asked whether the two leaders discussed Taiwan, artificial intelligence, or imprisoned Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai (黎智英), founder of the now-defunct pro-democracy Apple Daily newspaper.
Xi likewise did not respond to reporters’ questions about Taiwan. The meeting marked his first visit to the White House in more than a decade.
Meanwhile, Taiwan’s Cabinet said Thursday that the government welcomed any progress that could help maintain regional stability and manage risks arising from what it described as authoritarian expansion. Regarding the Trump-Xi meeting and US arms sales to Taiwan, the Cabinet said it has remained in close contact with Washington and is keeping track of developments, according to LTN.
A proposed NT$445 billion (US$14 billion) arms package for Taiwan is still awaiting Trump’s approval. Trump has kept the package on hold for months, describing it as a negotiating tool in talks with China, according to Reuters.
