US ambassador to China says Taiwan arms sales come up at every Trump-Xi meeting

Sep 28, 2026

Washington insists its Taiwan policy has not changed, but a reported suggestion that China could buy American weapons is raising doubts in Taipei.

  • Arms sales to Taiwan were on the table at the latest Trump-Xi meeting, and the US says its one-China policy and commitments to Taiwan still stand.
  • Lawmakers from both US parties worry a $14 billion arms package for Taiwan is being stalled to keep Beijing happy — the embassy denies it, pointing to a record $11 billion deal approved late last year.
  • Trump reportedly asked Xi whether China wanted to buy American weapons; the White House and State Department quickly said no such plan exists and US law bans it.
  • Analysts say that pitch treats China as a customer rather than a rival, feeding Taiwanese doubts about how reliable Washington really is — and handing Beijing a propaganda win.
  • The two sides also set up talks on AI risks, while China's new rules criminalizing supply-chain audits and its grip on rare earths remain an open fight.

Outlook: Expect Taipei to press for the delayed weapons to move, and for the rare earth dispute to stay the sharpest friction point between Washington and Beijing.

← Latest · Archive