China threatens to cancel Trump-Xi summit over Taiwan arms sales
Beijing is pressuring Washington to hold off on new weapons sales to Taiwan before this month's Trump-Xi meeting — a warning sign for Taiwan and for anyone hoping the summit calms US-China tensions.
- China has told the US that Xi may cancel his Washington trip if any new Taiwan arms deal is approved first.
- Taiwan's mainland affairs officials say the demand is no surprise — Beijing wants arms sales to Taiwan stopped permanently, not just delayed.
- The US already approved an $11 billion package last December, and a second, larger one is still under review by Secretary of State Rubio.
- Taiwan's own China policy agency says its travel budget was gutted by lawmakers, limiting face-to-face talks with US officials.
Outlook: Washington now has to choose between approving the next arms package and keeping the late-September summit on track.