China Threatens to Cancel US Summit Over Taiwan Arms

China has threatened to cancel an upcoming summit with US President Donald Trump unless Washington agrees not to provide Taiwan with additional weapons before the meeting, according to Kyodo news agency. The Chinese leader, Xi Jinping, has emphasized that Taiwan remains the top "red line" in Sino-American relations and has warned of the possibility of direct military conflict if the issue is mishandled.

The dispute over Taiwan's status has intensified since a May meeting in Beijing, where Xi labeled Taiwan as the most pressing issue in bilateral ties and threatened military action if the situation is mishandled. US President Trump has suggested that arming Taiwan could serve as a valuable bargaining chip in negotiations with China, a claim that has raised concerns among Asian allies about the strength of US security guarantees in the region.

US defense transfers to Taiwan are governed by the Taiwan Relations Act, which requires the US to supply Taiwan with defense articles and services to enable the island to maintain a self-defense capability. In December, the Trump administration authorized an $11 billion arms package for Taiwan, the largest in US history, a move that drew strong condemnation from Beijing.

This decision came amid a series of military exercises by China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) across the Taiwan Strait, increasing international worry about a potential cross-strait blockade or invasion by China that could lead to a direct military confrontation. The issue of weaponry also ties into regional maritime activities, as China recently initiated a maritime law enforcement and traffic control operation in waters east of Taiwan, asserting its administrative jurisdiction and demonstrating its ability to monitor transit routes along the island's eastern side.

Meanwhile, Taiwan's legislature has approved a $25 billion defense budget to purchase advanced US-made deep-strike systems and loitering munitions, while Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has reiterated that foreign entities cannot dictate the island's democratic future. Beyond cross-strait security concerns, the US-China summit is expected to cover broader economic arrangements, including a possible agreement to reduce tariffs on $30 billion worth of goods and a preliminary framework on artificial intelligence safety standards.

The summit could also discuss Beijing's stance on Iran, as China remains a key economic and trade partner for Tehran amid ongoing Middle East conflicts, and China has signaled no intention to interfere with US-Washington dialogue on the matter.