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Trump Says He Will Discuss US Arms Sales to Taiwan With Xi During China Trip
President Donald Trump said he would discuss future U.S. arms sales to Taiwan with Xi Jinping during his Beijing trip, and he predicted Beijing would not seize Taiwan. He suggested the United States would continue weapons sales and noted broad regional support for Taiwan. The report also mentions Jimmy Lai's February sentencing in Hong Kong.
Why It Matters
The remarks indicate ongoing U.S. consideration of arms sales to Taiwan and reflect the intricate U.S.-China dynamic, with potential implications for regional security and diplomacy.
Timeline
2 Events
May 11, 2026: Trump signals discussing U.S. arms sales to Taiwan with Xi Jinping during China trip
May 11, 2026
Trump told reporters ahead of his trip to Beijing that he would discuss future U.S. arms sales to Taiwan with Xi Jinping, and suggested Beijing would prefer that the United States stop arming Taiwan. He downplayed the possibility of China seizing Taiwan, noted the United States is far from Taiwan, and mentioned wanting to press Xi on the release of Jimmy Lai.
February 2026: Jimmy Lai sentenced to 20 years in prison (Hong Kong)
February 2026
The article notes that Jimmy Lai, a Hong Kong pro-democracy media figure, was sentenced in February to 20 years in prison. The piece describes the sentence as effectively a death sentence for the 78-year-old, reflecting Beijing's crackdown on dissent in Hong Kong.