Archive · 24 Sep 2026
Trump-Xi Summit Tests Taiwan Arms Deal and US-China Stability
Donald Trump and Xi Jinping are meeting to discuss relations between the United States and China.
Taiwan is watching because it worries its security could become part of a larger deal.
The United States has a proposed $14 billion weapons package for Taiwan, but the sale is currently paused.
Trump has called the package a possible negotiating chip.
China says selling weapons to Taiwan could make its relationship with the United States worse.
Taiwan says it will keep working with the United States to move the deal forward.
The leaders are also expected to talk about trade, technology, artificial intelligence safety and rare earth materials.
The two countries have already agreed to extend their trade truce through January 10.
Taiwan is also showing that it is strengthening its own military capabilities.
President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to discuss Taiwan, trade, technology and managing tensions in Washington.
A proposed $14 billion United States arms package for Taiwan has remained on hold since Trump met Xi in Beijing in May.
Taipei fears Trump could use the weapons package as a negotiating chip in broader talks with Beijing.
China argues that continued United States arms sales to Taiwan would undermine efforts to improve bilateral relations, while Taiwan says it is still working to advance the deal.
Washington and Beijing have agreed to extend their trade truce through January 10, while Taiwan has highlighted its own defence efforts with live-fire drills and higher spending targets.
- Who
- United States President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Taiwan are the central parties; United States and Chinese officials are also involved.
- What
- Trump and Xi are meeting to discuss Taiwan, trade, technology and broader management of United States-China tensions, including the future of a proposed Taiwan arms package.
- When
- The summit is taking place on Thursday; Taiwan held related live-fire drills on Wednesday, and the trade truce is extended through January 10.
- Where
- The summit is taking place in Washington, while Taiwan’s drills were held in Taiwan and the arms package concerns United States-Taiwan defence ties.
- Why
- The meeting aims to manage tensions and pursue stability, while Taiwan wants its proposed arms deal kept separate from United States-China negotiations.
Taiwan and United States security concerns
China’s negotiation position
Future of the arms package
Taiwan and United States security concerns
Taiwan wants to continue working with the United States to advance the proposed $14 billion procurement deal, and concerns have been raised about its security becoming part of a broader bargain.
China’s negotiation position
China prefers the current pause in United States military exports to Taiwan to continue and argues that further arms sales would damage efforts to build a more stable relationship.
Role of Taiwan at the summit
Taiwan and United States security concerns
Taiwan is focused on ensuring that its defence relationship with the United States remains separate from United States-China negotiations.
China’s negotiation position
Beijing is expected to raise Taiwan as a major concern and considers the issue one of its red lines in relations with Washington.
Leverage in negotiations
Taiwan and United States security concerns
United States officials are seeking an outcome President Trump can present as successful, while Washington continues to use its security and trade relationships as leverage.
China’s negotiation position
Chinese leverage has grown through its control of rare earths and other critical minerals, while analysts say the United States no longer holds all the cards.
- Proposed arms package
- $14 billion in United States weapons for Taiwan
- Arms deal status
- On hold since Trump’s meeting with Xi in Beijing in May
- Previous Taiwan arms sales
- Trump approved $11.1 billion in sales to Taiwan in December
- Trade truce
- United States and China agreed to extend it through January 10
- Taiwan defence spending
- Expected to exceed 3% of GDP in 2027; President Lai Ching-te has pledged 5% by 2030
- Taiwan military drill
- Live-fire exercises featured the domestically developed Cheetah armoured vehicle
- Other expected topics
- Artificial intelligence safety, rare earth exports and the war in Iran