China’s Xi expected to press Trump to halt Taiwan arms sales under 1982 agreement

Chinese President Xi Jinping is anticipated to urge US President Donald Trump to cease arms sales to Taiwan during his visit to Washington, according to sources. This request could be made at the US National Archives, where the three joint communiques between the two countries, including a 1982 agreement, are housed. The US is constitutionally required to provide Taiwan with defense capabilities due to its democratic governance, despite the absence of formal diplomatic relations.

China, however, staunchly asserts sovereignty over Taiwan, viewing it as an integral part of its territory. Three sources, familiar with the ongoing US-China discussions ahead of Xi's Washington visit, indicated that China will likely reference the 1982 joint communiqué, which outlines a gradual reduction in arms sales to Taiwan and no long-term sales commitment.

The accompanying memo from the US under Ronald Reagan explicitly tied any reduction to China's commitment to resolving disputes peacefully. China has notably intensified its military activities around Taiwan in recent years, conducting war games with live missile tests nearly daily. The foreign ministry and the official People's Daily have warned that handling the Taiwan issue poorly could escalate US-China relations to a dangerously confrontational state.

Xi is scheduled to arrive in Washington on Wednesday, with formal talks on Thursday and his visit to the archives on Friday. The White House has stated that Trump intends to make a decision on the new arms sales package relatively soon. In his first term, Trump approved more arms sales to Taiwan than any other president, while in his second term, he has approved more in his first year than any four years under President Joe Biden.

Taiwan's foreign ministry continues to monitor developments in US-China high-level exchanges while maintaining robust communication with the US. China has additionally requested that the US halt deliveries of arms already ordered by Taiwan. Xi may emphasize to Trump that Taiwan is the instigator of instability in US-China relations, as it is the one altering the status quo, one source posited.

In response, China is reportedly offering support to pressure Iran regarding the ongoing Middle East conflict. The US adheres to a "one China policy," refraining from taking a position on Taiwan's sovereignty while acknowledging, albeit not endorsing, Beijing's claim that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. In December, under the Trump administration, an $11 billion arms sales package was approved for Taiwan, the largest ever.

A subsequent package valued at approximately $14 billion has remained pending for months. Following a May summit in Beijing with Xi, Trump announced the suspension of the second package, describing it as a valuable negotiating tool.