Reported by Simon Daniel Yusuph l Journalist at Weng Global
Xi to Raise Taiwan Arms Sales During Trump Meeting
Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to press United States President Donald Trump to halt US arms sales to Taiwan when the two leaders meet in Washington this week, according to people familiar with preparations for the summit.
The issue is expected to form part of China’s broader effort to address what Beijing considers its most sensitive diplomatic concern as Xi prepares for talks with Trump on Thursday, September 24, 2026. Reuters reported that Chinese officials are likely to invoke the 1982 US-China Joint Communiqué on arms sales to Taiwan during the discussions.
The anticipated demand comes as Washington and Beijing seek to manage tensions over trade, technology, artificial intelligence and security while maintaining a more stable relationship between the world’s two largest economies.
Beijing Points to 1982 Agreement
China’s position is partly based on the August 17, 1982, US-China Joint Communiqué, which addressed the long-running dispute over American arms sales to Taiwan.
Under the communiqué, the United States said it did not intend to pursue a long-term policy of arms sales to Taiwan and stated that it intended to gradually reduce such sales over time. The agreement, however, did not produce a shared interpretation of how or when the reductions should occur. The US State Department’s historical record notes that Washington and Beijing deliberately maintained different interpretations of important parts of the agreement.
China has continued to emphasise the US commitment to gradually reduce arms sales, while successive US administrations have linked that commitment to China’s approach toward resolving the Taiwan issue peacefully.
That difference in interpretation remains central to the dispute.
US Arms Policy Faces a Different Legal Framework
Washington’s position is also shaped by the Taiwan Relations Act, a US law enacted in 1979 after the United States established diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China.
The law provides the basis for continued unofficial US relations with Taiwan and states that the United States should make available defence articles and services necessary for Taiwan to maintain sufficient self-defence capability. A Congressional Research Service report describes the legislation as the legal basis for US support for Taiwan’s defence.
This creates a longstanding tension between Beijing’s demand for an end to US military support for Taiwan and Washington’s domestic legal framework governing defence assistance to the island.
Taiwan’s government rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims and maintains its own defence relationship with the United States.
Proposed $14 Billion Arms Package in Focus
The discussions are taking place while the Trump administration has yet to approve a proposed US arms package for Taiwan estimated at about $14 billion.
Reuters reported that China wants the United States to stop both new arms sales and deliveries already ordered by Taiwan. Earlier reports indicated that Washington was considering delaying major arms announcements until after upcoming international summits, including the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting.
The proposed package has therefore become an important point of attention ahead of the Trump-Xi meeting.
Trump has previously authorised substantial military sales to Taiwan, including an approximately $11 billion package in 2026, according to Reuters.
The administration’s handling of further sales will be closely watched by Beijing, Taipei and US lawmakers.
Taiwan Issue Complicates US-China Relations
Taiwan has remained one of the most difficult issues in US-China relations.
Beijing considers Taiwan part of China and opposes foreign military support for the island. Taiwan, which has its own democratically elected government, rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claim.
Washington does not maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taipei but has maintained unofficial relations and defence cooperation with Taiwan for decades.
The US government has historically argued that its support for Taiwan’s self-defence contributes to stability across the Taiwan Strait. The State Department has also previously stated that US arms sales are guided by the Taiwan Relations Act and assessments of Taiwan’s defence needs.
The competing positions mean that decisions over weapons sales have implications beyond individual defence contracts.
Trump-Xi Talks Extend Beyond Taiwan
Taiwan is expected to be one of several major issues on the summit agenda.
The two leaders are also expected to discuss trade, artificial intelligence, technology restrictions and other areas of strategic competition. The Atlantic Council identified Taiwan, AI safety and trade among the issues likely to be important during the Washington meeting.
The Associated Press reported that the summit comes as Washington and Beijing continue working through unresolved commitments from earlier agreements covering trade, agricultural purchases, technology and investment.
Xi is also expected to seek greater stability in the broader US-China relationship while advancing China’s economic and strategic interests.
The Taiwan issue could therefore become part of a wider negotiation involving security, trade and diplomatic relations.
US Lawmakers Watch Taiwan Policy
The summit is also attracting attention in Washington, where some lawmakers have publicly urged the administration to maintain US support for Taiwan.
South China Morning Post reported that Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen warned Trump against sending signals that could weaken US support for Taiwan ahead of his meeting with Xi.
The debate reflects the competing considerations facing the Trump administration.
Beijing wants Washington to reduce military support for Taiwan, while US lawmakers and Taiwan’s government continue to focus on maintaining the island’s defence capabilities.
Why the Arms Issue Matters
The dispute over Taiwan arms sales carries significance for the wider security environment in East Asia.
For China, US military support for Taiwan is directly connected to its sovereignty claims and its long-standing objective of eventually achieving reunification.
For Taiwan, American weapons form an important part of its defence planning and efforts to deter military coercion.
For the United States, the issue involves balancing its legal commitments toward Taiwan with efforts to manage its broader strategic relationship with China.
Any significant change in US arms policy could therefore be closely watched across the Indo-Pacific.
Taiwan has also been demonstrating aspects of its military preparedness ahead of the summit. The Associated Press reported that the island recently conducted military drills combining attack drones with conventional weapons, including anti-air, anti-ship and anti-landing missile systems.
What Happens Next
Xi and Trump are scheduled to meet in Washington on September 24, with Taiwan expected to be among the issues discussed.
It remains uncertain whether Trump will accept Beijing’s demand to halt US arms sales or whether the two sides will reach any understanding on the issue.
Reuters reported that Chinese officials are expected to present their interpretation of the 1982 communiqué, while the United States continues to operate under its legal and policy framework supporting Taiwan’s ability to defend itself.
The outcome of the meeting could provide an indication of how Washington intends to balance its relationship with Beijing against its longstanding defence relationship with Taiwan.
For now, the central issue remains unresolved: Beijing is seeking an end to US arms sales to Taiwan, while US policy continues to provide a legal and strategic basis for supporting Taiwan’s self-defence.
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Sources
- Reuters — reporting on Xi Jinping’s expected demand for an end to US arms sales to Taiwan.
- US Department of State, Office of the Historian — historical record of the August 17, 1982 US-China Joint Communiqué.
- Congressional Research Service — report on Taiwan’s defence and the Taiwan Relations Act.
- Associated Press — reporting on the Trump-Xi summit and Taiwan’s recent military exercises.
- Atlantic Council — analysis of key issues expected at the Trump-Xi summit.
- South China Morning Post — reporting on possible delays to US arms sales to Taiwan.
