Taiwan watches Xi-Trump meeting closely, hopes US arms sales continue

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Weather News September 23, 2026 e-Paper

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Weather News September 23, 2026 e-Paper

Updated – September 23, 2026 02:52 pm IST – Tainan

President Donald Trump participates in events at the Great Hall of the People and does a greeting with the President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping. File
| Photo Credit: Reuters

As China's Xi Jinping arrives in Washington to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump, Taiwan expressed confidence that U.S. arms sales to the island that Beijing claims as its own will continue — despite China's pressure.

China has pressed Washington to halt the arms sales, most prominently during a summit in May between Mr. Trump and Mr. Xi in Beijing. After that meeting, the United States paused the sale of a record-breaking $14 billion package — and Mr. Trump described arms sales to Taiwan as a “very good negotiating chip” with China.

Still, the U.S. government and Congress have “repeatedly expressed support for Taiwan's self-defence capabilities,” Taiwanese Defence Ministry spokesperson Maj. Gen. Chiao Fu-chun told reporters in the southern city of Tainan.

“We will continue to maintain close contact with the U.S. Department of War and continue to push forward the arms procurement deal between Taiwan and the U.S., ensuring it proceeds as planned,” he added.

The U.S. is bound by its own laws to provide Taiwan — a self-ruled democracy that China sees as its own territory — with the means to defend itself. While not recognising Taiwan as a country, the U.S. is the island's strongest informal backer and arms provider.

Washington approved another $11 billion package for Taiwan in December.

Hours before Mr. Xi's arrival for the three-day state visit to the U.S., Taiwan's military on Wednesday (September 23, 2026) conducted live-fire drills featuring a domestically developed eight-wheeled armoured vehicle, highlighting efforts to strengthen its own arms production.

Called The Cheetah, the vehicle can be fitted with a 105-millimetre (4.1-inch) cannon and can reach a maximum speed of about 100 kph (62 mph) and an operational range of about 500 kilometres (311 miles).

Taiwanese Maj. Gen. Chen Chien-chung said the vehicle can be used on various terrains and is suitable for urban warfare.

Mr. Trump has in recent years pressed Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te to dramatically increase Taiwan's defence budget. The budget will exceed 3% of Taiwan's gross domestic product for the first time in 2027, and Lai has pledged to get to 5% by 2030.

Published – September 23, 2026 02:49 pm IST

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Fonte: The Hindu – International