Congressman Greg Stanton (D-AZ) says President Donald Trump made a serious mistake in Beijing, failing to approve Taiwan's pending arms deal before sitting down with Chinese President Xi Jinping, a move he argues sent exactly the wrong signal.
Rep. Stanton pointed to a reported $14 billion weapons package that remains unsigned, saying the president had a clear opportunity to demonstrate American resolve on Taiwan's security before engaging in high-level talks with Beijing.
"He should have done it before the summit to make it absolutely clear that we're going to help Taiwan in self-defense," Stanton said. "None of that happened, and that is a huge mistake by our president."
Additionally, he highlighted Taiwan's position as the world's top semiconductor producer, cautioning that Chinese control over the island would give Beijing significant power over global technology supply chains.
He noted that Congress had already voted to authorize the weapons transfer.
2026 China Summit
President Trump wrapped up two days of talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Friday. Speaking to Fox News, Trump was candid but noncommittal on the arms sale. "I haven't approved it yet. We're gonna see what happens. I may do it, I may not do it," he said.
He pushed back on the idea that his administration's position had shifted, saying nothing had changed while making clear he was not encouraging Taiwan to pursue formal independence. "I'm not looking to have somebody go independent," Trump said. "I want them to cool down. I want China to cool down."
Acknowledging the practical realities of U.S. involvement, he added that he was not seeking a situation in which American forces would have to "travel 9,500 miles to fight a war."
President Xi, for his part, told Trump during their meetings that the Taiwan question required careful handling, warning that missteps could produce serious consequences.
The two leaders departed Beijing having agreed to hold another meeting on American soil in September.
Taiwan's foreign ministry released a statement Saturday reminding Washington of its obligations under a 1979 law that requires the United States to supply Taiwan with adequate means of self-defense.
The island's deputy foreign minister added that his government intended to keep open lines of communication with Washington as the situation develops.
