Beijing is wagering that high-profile but low-impact actions, such as symbolic moves on fentanyl, will be exchanged for concessions on tariffs, technology restrictions, and Taiwan policy, he said.
Amanda Hsiao, a director in the Eurasia Group’s China practice, noted that Beijing would leverage the leaders’ engagement to seek further assurances regarding Taiwan, though she suggested U.S. support for the island would persist. “However, it’s quite likely that arms sales, allowing Taiwan’s President Lai to transit through the U.S., and other forms of support for Taiwan will resume after Trump’s visit to China,” she added.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the reports of paused weapons aid to Taiwan designed to be clear and helpful for a range of readers
General Beginner Questions
1 What is this news story about
Recent reports suggest that former President Donald Trump paused or considered pausing approved weapons sales to Taiwan This has led to concerns that he might be using this military support as a bargaining chip in trade negotiations with China
2 Why is US weapons aid to Taiwan important
The US has a longstanding policy to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself This aid is seen as crucial for maintaining Taiwans security and stability in the region especially given Chinas claim over the island
3 Why would pausing this aid be a big deal
Pausing aid could be seen as weakening US support for Taiwans defense potentially emboldening China and undermining decades of US foreign policy in Asia It raises questions about the reliability of the US as a security partner
4 What is the OneChina Policy
This is the diplomatic acknowledgment by many countries including the US that there is only one Chinese government in Beijing The US does not formally recognize Taiwan as a separate independent country but maintains unofficial ties and is committed to providing it with defensive weapons
Advanced Strategic Questions
5 How could this be used as leverage in trade talks with China
The theory is that by threatening to withhold military support for Taiwansomething China vehemently opposesa negotiator could pressure China to make concessions on trade issues such as tariffs or intellectual property rules to get the weapons sales resumed
6 What is the Taiwan Relations Act
Passed in 1979 this US law commits America to providing Taiwan with arms of a defensive character and to consider any nonpeaceful action against Taiwan a matter of grave concern Pausing aid could be viewed as conflicting with the spirit of this law
7 What are the risks of linking Taiwan to other policy issues like trade
Linking these issues is considered highly risky by foreign policy experts It treats Taiwans security as a negotiable commodity which could destabilize the entire region damage US credibility with allies like Japan and South Korea and potentially encourage China to take more aggressive actions
8 Has anything like this happened before
There is precedent for presidents delaying or reviewing
