Trump falls for China's bluff over arms sales to Taiwan
Donald Trump's recent visit to China concluded without any significant agreements regarding Taiwan. Despite Taiwan's desire to remain out of the spotlight, Beijing raised concerns over a proposed $14 billion arms package for the island. The situation reflects ongoing tensions between the U.S. and China regarding Taiwan's status and military support.
- ▪Donald Trump described his visit to China as 'historic' but left without a joint statement or concrete agreements.
- ▪Taiwan's parliament approved a new $14 billion arms package, which Beijing opposes.
- ▪Beijing claims sovereignty over Taiwan, despite the island's self-governance since 1949.
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Donald Trump aboard Air Force One after his official visit to China, May 15, 2026. EVAN VUCCI/REUTERS Things had been going relatively smoothly for Taiwan until Donald Trump boarded Air Force One for Washington on Friday, May 15, wrapping up a two-day visit he described as "historic," even though it resulted in neither a joint statement nor any concrete agreement between the world's two leading powers. The American president left China without having made any public concessions to his "friend" Xi Jinping on the most sensitive issue in Beijing's eyes: Taiwan. But a few remarks made after takeoff quickly muddied the picture, casting uncertainty over a visit that had otherwise unfolded without surprises.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Le Monde (EN).
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