U.S. and Taiwanese officials reaffirmed on Sept. 25-27 that Washington’s policy toward Taiwan remains unchanged following President Donald Trump’s meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Washington. The $14 billion U.S. arms package for Taiwan remains on hold, despite Taipei’s repeated assurances of continued American support.
Immediate Confirmations and Delays
U.S. Ambassador to China David Perdue stated in a Sept. 25 CNBC interview that Washington’s position on Taiwan had not shifted, citing adherence to the one-China policy, the Taiwan Relations Act, the three U.S.–China joint communiqués, and the Six Assurances to Taiwan. Perdue emphasized that no changes in language or position had occurred.
Taiwanese Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Ming-chi told reporters on Sept. 26 that Taipei had received repeated assurances from U.S. officials that policy toward Taiwan remained unchanged. He noted that Washington “very much understands” Taiwan’s defense needs amid ongoing military pressure from China. Chen also highlighted that communication channels between Taipei and Washington remain open and regular.
Trump’s Remarks and Unresolved Arms Deal
President Trump confirmed on Sept. 26 that Taiwan was discussed during his Sept. 24 meeting with Xi but stated that the issue did not dominate the talks. Trump told reporters: “We didn’t talk about it too much… He understands very much how I feel.” He did not elaborate on whether U.S. support for Taiwan’s defense capabilities would proceed.
The $14 billion arms package for Taiwan, initially proposed in 2025, has been delayed for months. Reuters reported that Trump put the package “in abeyance” after his May 2025 meeting with Xi in Beijing, describing it as a “very good negotiating chip.” The package follows an $11 billion deal approved in December 2024, which included advanced weaponry such as F-16 fighter jets and Harpoon anti-ship missiles.
Beijing’s Pressure and Taipei’s Response
China’s Foreign Ministry had pressed the U.S. to halt arms sales to Taiwan, calling the issue a “red line” in bilateral relations. Xi reportedly raised the topic during his meeting with Trump, though neither side released a detailed readout of the discussion.
Taiwan’s representative to the U.S., Alexander Yui, told CBS on Sept. 27 that Taiwan does not appear in the joint statements or deliverables from the Trump-Xi meeting. He noted that while Xi had raised Taiwan during previous discussions, U.S. officials had explicitly stated no policy changes in the lead-up to, during, and after the summit.
Ongoing Military and Diplomatic Tensions
Chen Ming-chi warned that China continues to expand its military capabilities despite economic challenges, increasing pressure on Taiwan. He stated that Washington recognizes Taipei’s need to strengthen its defenses, though the timing of the arms package remains uncertain.
U.S. law requires Washington to provide Taiwan with defensive capabilities, but the delay in the latest package has raised questions about how the administration balances relations with Beijing and Taipei. The Taiwan Relations Act mandates that the U.S. maintain the capacity to resist coercion against Taiwan, though enforcement timelines are not specified.
Broader Context: U.S.-China Relations
The Trump-Xi meeting aimed to stabilize U.S.-China ties amid ongoing tensions over trade, technology, and regional security. While the two leaders agreed to extend a trade truce, differences over Taiwan, artificial intelligence, and Iran remained unresolved. The arms package delay underscores the delicate balance Washington must strike between supporting Taiwan and managing relations with Beijing.