Archive · 24 Sep 2026
Taiwan Thanks US Ahead of Trump-Xi Arms Summit
Taiwan buys weapons from the United States to help defend itself.
Taiwan said it would keep talking closely with the US about these weapons.
China says Taiwan is part of China and wants the American arms sales to stop.
Chinese President Xi Jinping was expected to raise the issue with US President Donald Trump in Washington.
The US approved an $11 billion package for Taiwan in December.
Another package worth about $14 billion has been paused since Trump met Xi in May.
Taiwan is also making some of its own military equipment.
Its army showed a new Cheetah armored vehicle during a live-fire exercise.
Taiwan says its people should decide the island’s future, while China has not ruled out using force.
Taiwan said it will maintain close contact with the United States over planned arms sales.
Xi Jinping was expected to urge Donald Trump to halt US arms sales to Taiwan during their Washington summit.
The United States approved an $11 billion Taiwan arms package in December, while a separate $14 billion package remains on hold.
Taiwan displayed its domestically developed eight-wheeled Cheetah armored vehicle during live-fire exercises in Tainan.
China claims Taiwan as its territory, opposes US arms sales, and has not renounced using force to bring the island under its control.
- Who
- Taiwan, the United States, China, Donald Trump, and Xi Jinping.
- What
- Taiwan thanked the United States and said it would maintain close contact over planned arms sales.
- When
- September 23-24, ahead of the expected Trump-Xi summit on Thursday.
- Where
- Taiwan’s statements and military exercises took place in Tainan; the summit was expected in Washington.
- Why
- Taiwan says US support and arms sales strengthen its self-defense, while China wants the sales halted and claims sovereignty over Taiwan.
Taiwan and United States
China
US arms sales
Taiwan and United States
Taiwan says continued US arms sales support its ability to defend itself and regional security; the United States and its Congress have repeatedly expressed support for Taiwan’s defense capabilities.
China
China opposes US arms sales to Taiwan and has urged Washington to halt them.
Taiwan’s political status
Taiwan and United States
Taiwan’s government rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims and says only the Taiwanese people can decide the island’s future.
China
China claims democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory.
Use of force
Taiwan and United States
Taiwan is strengthening US-supported and domestically developed military capabilities to improve its defense.
China
China has not renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control.
- Approved arms package
- The United States approved an $11 billion arms package for Taiwan in December, described as the largest ever.
- Paused arms package
- A separate package worth about $14 billion has been held up since Trump’s May meeting with Xi.
- Taiwan’s position
- Taiwan said it would maintain close contact with the United States and promote implementation of arms sales according to plan.
- China’s position
- China regards Taiwan as its territory and has repeatedly demanded an end to US arms sales.
- Domestic vehicle
- Taiwan displayed the eight-wheeled Cheetah armored vehicle, which can be fitted with a 105mm cannon.
- US-made equipment
- Taiwan displayed Lockheed Martin-made HIMARS rockets but did not fire them.
- Defense spending
- Taiwan’s defense budget is expected to exceed 3% of GDP in 2027, while President Lai Ching-te has pledged to reach 5% by 2030.
