President Trump’s decision to use a $14 billion arms package to Taiwan as a negotiating tool gives an advantage to China. The move seems to favor Chinese leader Xi Jinping and might impact the stability of Taiwan.
On Monday, Chinese state media capitalized on Trump’s remarks, casting doubt on America’s commitment to defending Taiwan. The Global Times, a prominent Chinese newspaper, emphasized that Taiwan and its current leadership, particularly President Lai Ching-te and the Democratic Progressive Party, cannot bank on consistent U.S. support.
Col. Jiang Bin, spokesperson for China’s Ministry of National Defense, commented that Taiwan’s security isn’t assured merely through military purchases. He warned against becoming a mere pawn that might be exploited.
Trump’s comments emerged after his summit with Xi in Beijing. During an interview with Fox News, Trump revealed he was delaying the arms deal decision, hinting it could be a strategic lever in discussions with China. However, specifics on what Trump expected from China were not detailed.
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