Taipei, September 27 — China has warned it will cancel a planned summit with the United States if Washington approves new arms sales to Taiwan before the meeting in September, according to a report published September 12. The warning came as US President Donald Trump, eager to showcase diplomatic achievements ahead of November’s midterm congressional elections, placed great importance on holding the summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Beijing describes Taiwan as a “red line,” viewing the island as part of its territory, and has increased military pressure in the region. The arms package under discussion includes eight arms sales agreements announced on a Wednesday covering 82 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, and 420 Army Tactical Missile Systems, or ATACMS.
Taiwan’s top diplomat in the United States said the island needs to purchase American weapons to ensure its self-defense in the face of a growing threat from Beijing, adding that he had seen no indication the sales would stop. Taiwan’s government said it would maintain close contact with the US to promote the implementation of arms sales according to plan. The US State Department’s top diplomat for East Asia said in June that the arms sale does not hinge on China.
On the industry side, US defence technology firm Anduril’s founder Palmer Luckey said the delay in approving arms sales to Taiwan was affecting its business and that he had discussed the matter with officials. As Xi arrived in Washington to meet Trump, Taiwan expressed confidence that US arms sales to the island would continue.
The 1982 joint agreement referenced by sources is the longstanding US-China communique framework that Beijing cites in demanding a halt to such sales. Looking ahead, the outcome of the meeting between Trump and Xi will be closely watched for any indication of a resolution to the arms sales issue. The US administration has maintained a hardline stance on Taiwan’s defense, while China has continued to assert its territorial claims over the island.
