Donald Trump has said he is prepared to discuss United States arms sales to Taiwan during his upcoming visit to China, while expressing confidence that his relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping would help prevent any invasion of the self-governing island.
The White House said Trump will be accompanied by top American business executives, including Elon Musk and Tim Cook, during the visit to Beijing scheduled for Wednesday through Friday.
The trip is expected to focus heavily on trade relations between the world’s two largest economies and marks the first visit by a US president to China since Trump’s 2017 trip during his first term in office.
Speaking to reporters at the Oval Office on Monday, Trump addressed questions about continued US weapons sales to Taiwan, an issue that remains a major source of tension between Washington and Beijing.
“I’m going to have that discussion with President Xi,” Trump said.
“President Xi would like us not to, and I’ll have that discussion. That’s one of the many things I’ll be talking about,” he added.
Referring to tensions in the Taiwan Strait and drawing comparisons with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Trump said he did not believe China would invade Taiwan.
“I think we’ll be fine. I have a very good relationship with President Xi. He knows I don’t want that to happen,” he stated.
Trump, however, acknowledged the geographical challenge facing the United States, saying America was “very, very far away” compared to China.
Reacting to Trump’s comments, Taiwan’s foreign ministry reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening ties with the United States and improving its defense capabilities.
The ministry said Taiwan would continue to “build effective deterrence capabilities in order to jointly maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.”
China’s foreign ministry spokesman, Guo Jiakun, reiterated Beijing’s opposition to US arms sales to Taiwan.
“China’s opposition to the United States’ sale of weapons to China’s Taiwan region is consistent and clear,” he said.
Although the United States officially recognises Beijing as the government of China, US law requires Washington to provide Taiwan with defensive weapons.
Under the 1982 “Six Assurances,” the United States also pledged not to consult Beijing on arms sales decisions involving Taiwan.
Ahead of Trump’s visit, Taiwan’s parliament approved a $25 billion defense spending bill, though the figure fell below the government’s original proposal.
A group of US senators led by Jeanne Shaheen urged Trump to immediately approve a proposed $14 billion arms package for Taiwan.
The lawmakers stated that American support for Taiwan “is not up for negotiation.”
The visit also comes amid growing geopolitical tensions involving Iran and the Middle East.
Trump recently delayed the China trip due to the conflict involving Israel and Iran.
China remains one of Iran’s major oil customers despite US sanctions aimed at restricting Tehran’s oil exports.
On Monday, the US Treasury Department announced sanctions against 12 individuals and entities accused of facilitating Iranian oil shipments to China.
Meanwhile, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is expected to meet Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Seoul ahead of Trump’s visit.
The two officials have led negotiations on trade and economic issues between Washington and Beijing.
Trump and Xi last met in person during a regional summit in South Korea in October, where both leaders agreed to a one-year truce in an escalating trade war that had pushed tariffs on several goods above 100 percent.
