Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to raise the issue of US arms sales to Taiwan during his upcoming meeting with President Donald Trump in Washington, according to sources familiar with the preparations for the summit.
Beijing is expected to cite the 1982 US-China joint communiqué, under which Washington said it intended to gradually reduce arms sales to Taiwan and did not seek a long-term policy of weapons sales to Taipei. China has repeatedly used the agreement to oppose American military support for Taiwan.
However, the 1982 arrangement was accompanied by a memorandum from then-US President Ronald Reagan stating that Washington’s willingness to reduce arms sales was linked to China’s continued commitment to resolving differences with Taiwan peacefully. The US has also maintained that its approach toward Taiwan is guided by its domestic laws, including the Taiwan Relations Act.
Three sources told Reuters that China may ask the US not only to stop approving new weapons packages but also to halt deliveries of arms already ordered by Taiwan. Beijing views Taiwan as part of China, while Taiwan rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims.
The issue comes amid heightened military activity around Taiwan. China has conducted increasingly frequent military exercises near the island in recent years, while the US continues to provide Taiwan with weapons intended to support its self-defence.
The Trump administration approved an $11 billion arms package for Taiwan in December, described as the largest such package at the time. A separate package worth about $14 billion has reportedly remained on hold for months. Trump has previously described the pending deal as a negotiating tool.
Xi is scheduled to arrive in Washington on Wednesday, with formal talks with Trump expected on Thursday. A visit to the US National Archives is planned for Friday, where the 1982 agreement could feature in discussions.
Taiwan's foreign ministry said it was closely following the US-China talks while maintaining communication with Washington. Meanwhile, US lawmakers have publicly reiterated support for Taiwan ahead of the summit.
The Taiwan issue is expected to be among several sensitive subjects discussed by Trump and Xi, alongside trade, technology and the wider geopolitical situation.
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