Xi expected to press Trump on US-Taiwan arms sales agreement, say sources

China's President Xi Jinping is anticipated to urge US President Donald Trump to cease the sale of weapons to Taiwan during his visit to Washington this week, according to sources familiar with the matter. China regards the Taiwan issue as its most sensitive diplomatic concern, consistently demanding an end to arms sales to the self-governing island. Despite lacking formal diplomatic relations, the US is legally obligated to furnish Taiwan with the defenses necessary for self-protection.

Xi is expected to reference the 1982 joint statement between the US and China, which outlines the gradual reduction of arms sales to Taiwan, contingent upon China's commitment to resolving disputes peacefully. However, an accompanying memo from the Reagan administration in 1982 tied the US's willingness to reduce arms sales to China's commitment to a peaceful resolution of the Taiwan situation.

China's military engagement around Taiwan has intensified in recent years, with frequent war games and live missile tests in the vicinity. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs declined to comment on the matter. Xi is scheduled to arrive in Washington on Wednesday, engage in formal talks on Thursday, and visit the National Archives for a symbolic gesture on Friday. The White House stated that Trump intends to make a decision on the new arms sales package in a short period.

During his first term, Trump authorized the most substantial arms sales to Taiwan in history, surpassing the total authorized in all four years of President Joe Biden's tenure. Taiwan's foreign ministry continues to monitor developments in US-China high-level exchanges while maintaining close communication with the US. China has also requested that the US halt the delivery of arms already ordered by Taiwan.

Xi might emphasize to Trump that Taiwan is the instigator of discord in US-China relations and the sole factor altering the status quo, as per one of the sources.