Trump Weighs New Taiwan Arms Package After Xi Summit

Potential shifts in U.S. arms support for Taiwan now sit at the center of Washington-Beijing relations after President Trump’s meetings with Xi Jinping. The question is whether additional weapons will strengthen deterrence or accelerate the very conflict both sides say they want to avoid. Semiconductor supply chains add urgency, since any disruption would reach U.S. companies within months rather than years.

Trump told Fox News the Taiwan issue occupied the leaders for an entire night. He stated that an attack would be met harshly, yet he also questioned the island’s odds even with American help and urged both sides to “cool it.” Administration officials are now reviewing a fresh package of weapons sales, viewing the step partly as leverage in wider trade and security talks. One adviser described Xi’s posture as claiming equality with the United States and ownership of Taiwan, raising the assessed likelihood of action within five years.

Chinese statements after the summit emphasized a new framework of “constructive strategic stability” without listing concessions. No major trade or Iran agreements were announced during the two-day visit. Trump praised the personal relationship and the pageantry, while noting Xi remained “all business” in private sessions. Lawmakers in both parties have pressed for clarity on whether the new package will move forward under the Taiwan Relations Act or remain on hold to test Beijing’s response.