Trump to Raise $11 B Taiwan Arms Deal with Xi, Says Conflict Unlikely

Trump is set to meet Xi Jinping in Beijing later this week, his first visit to China in nine years. The agenda includes a discussion of U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, a long‑standing flashpoint between Washington and Beijing.

In December, Trump announced a weapons package for Taiwan valued at more than $11 billion, the largest ever offered by the United States. The deal includes advanced missile systems, fighter jets and naval equipment designed to deter a possible Chinese assault.

During a White House briefing, Trump said, “I’m going to have that discussion with President Xi. President Xi would like us not to, and I’ll have that discussion.” He added that his personal rapport with Xi makes a near‑term conflict “unlikely.”

Beijing routinely condemns U.S. arms sales to the self‑governed island, which it claims as part of its territory. In December, China conducted drills simulating a blockade of Taiwanese ports, a clear warning against foreign military support.

The United States maintains a policy of strategic ambiguity, providing defensive weapons to Taiwan while not formally recognizing its sovereignty. Washington’s official stance calls for peaceful resolution between Taipei and Beijing.

Trump’s confidence rests on his claimed “very good relationship” with Xi, but analysts note that personal ties do not erase structural tensions. The upcoming talks will test whether diplomatic overtures can offset the strategic rivalry that underpins the Taiwan question.

What to watch next: how Xi responds to the arms‑sale discussion and whether any concrete steps emerge to de‑escalate cross‑strait tensions.