The remarks introduced fresh uncertainty into Washington’s long-standing security support for Taiwan following Trump’s summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Friday.

Despite lacking formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, the United States remains the island’s principal international backer and is legally obligated under the Taiwan Relations Act to provide defensive weapons.

In a statement, spokesperson Karen Kuo for Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te said China’s growing military pressure represented the primary destabilizing factor in the Indo-Pacific region and the Taiwan Strait.

“Military sales between Taiwan and the US are not only a reflection of the US security commitment to Taiwan as stipulated in the Taiwan Relations Act, but also serve as a mutual deterrence against regional threats,” Kuo said.

Taiwan thanked Trump for what Kuo described as his continued support for security in the Taiwan Strait and said Taipei would continue strengthening cooperation with Washington.

Reuters previously reported that a second US arms package for Taiwan valued at around $14 billion remains pending presidential approval after the Trump administration approved a record $11 billion package in December.

Speaking in Taipei, Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Ming-chi declined to comment directly on the pending package because it has not been formally announced, but said Taiwan remained in communication with US officials.

Taiwan’s opposition-controlled parliament has delayed the government’s broader effort to secure an additional $40 billion in defense spending. Earlier this month lawmakers approved roughly two-thirds of the requested amount, earmarking it specifically for US arms purchases.

Republican and Democratic lawmakers in Washington have publicly urged the Trump administration to maintain weapons sales to Taiwan amid growing Chinese military activity near the island.

Trump also suggested after meeting Xi that he could speak directly with Lai regarding the proposed arms sale, saying he would need to talk with “the person … that’s running Taiwan.”

Chen said Taipei was still attempting to understand the “true intent” behind Trump’s comments.
A senior Taiwanese security official, speaking anonymously because of the sensitivity of the issue, said discussions over arms sales should involve Taiwan rather than Beijing.

China claims Taiwan as its territory and has never ruled out the use of force to bring the island under its control. Beijing has rejected repeated offers of talks from Lai, whom Chinese officials label a separatist.
Kuo reiterated Taiwan’s long-standing position that the Republic of China, Taiwan’s formal name, is “a sovereign, independent democratic country.”

Chinese military operations around Taiwan continued during Trump’s visit to Beijing, according to Taiwanese officials, as tensions over the island’s future remained a central flashpoint in US-China relations.

The agreement represents a significant reopening of a market that had once accounted for a major share of Boeing’s global commercial aircraft deliveries before trade tensions and safety concerns sharply reduced Chinese demand.

Speaking aboard Air Force One after departing Beijing, Trump said China also secured an option to purchase as many as 750 additional Boeing aircraft under the arrangement. Boeing later confirmed the 200-plane order but did not disclose aircraft models, delivery timelines or financial terms.

“We had a very successful trip to China and accomplished our major goal of reopening the China market to orders for Boeing aircraft,” the company said in a statement, adding that it expected to continue addressing China’s long-term aviation demand.

Boeing Chief Executive Kelly Ortberg joined a delegation of senior American executives accompanying Trump during the Beijing visit as U.S. companies sought to deepen commercial engagement with China despite ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Trump said the agreement would also benefit GE Aerospace, which he said could supply between 400 and 450 aircraft engines tied to the deal. GE Aerospace Chief Executive H. Lawrence Culp was also part of the delegation.

The Trump administration has increasingly positioned Boeing at the center of its strategy to expand U.S. manufacturing exports and strengthen industrial competitiveness abroad. Several major aircraft orders have followed presidential visits and bilateral meetings during Trump’s second term.

Last year, Qatar Airways agreed to purchase up to 210 Boeing widebody aircraft during Trump’s Middle East visit, while Korean Air later formalized a deal valued at roughly $50 billion for aircraft, engines and maintenance services following talks in Washington with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung.

Additional orders followed from Turkish Airlines, Emirates and FlyDubai, helping Boeing recover from a prolonged downturn in international sales.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, China accounted for roughly one-third of Boeing’s narrowbody aircraft deliveries. The company’s position weakened after deteriorating U.S.-China relations and the grounding of the 737 MAX fleet following two fatal crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia that killed 346 people.

China became the first country to suspend operations of the 737 MAX in 2019 and resumed flights only in 2023, later than many other aviation markets.
Ortberg assumed leadership of Boeing in 2024 during a period of mounting operational and financial pressure after a panel blowout aboard a 737 MAX flight departing Portland, Oregon intensified scrutiny over manufacturing standards and safety controls.

Analysts said details surrounding broader trade agreements reached during the Trump-Xi summit remained limited. Bonnie Glaser said there was little publicly available information on other potential Chinese purchases involving U.S. agricultural and energy exports.

Trump, wrapping up meetings in Beijing before returning to Washington, described ties with China as being in “a good place” and said Xi had congratulated him on recent political and diplomatic successes during their discussions.

The optimistic rhetoric contrasted with persistent tensions between the world’s two largest economies, particularly over Taiwan and the ongoing Iran conflict, which has disrupted global energy markets and intensified geopolitical competition.

Chinese officials said Xi warned Trump during private talks that mishandling the Taiwan issue could push the two powers toward “clashes and even conflicts,” underscoring Beijing’s view that the self-ruled island remains its most sensitive sovereignty concern.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington’s policy toward Taiwan remained unchanged and cautioned Beijing against attempting to take the island by force.

“It would be a terrible mistake,” Rubio told NBC News, adding that both sides routinely reiterated their established positions during high-level engagements.
Taiwan has emerged as a growing source of friction in U.S.-China relations amid expanded American arms support for Taipei and increasing Chinese military pressure around the island.

The White House announced an $11 billion weapons package for Taiwan in December, the largest approved for the island, although deliveries have yet to begin.
Trump has also pressed Taiwan to raise defense spending and expand investment in U.S. semiconductor manufacturing, while calling for Taipei to increase purchases of American energy exports.

China has intensified its rhetoric in recent weeks, emphasizing that Taiwan lies at the “core” of its national interests. Analysts in Taiwan said Beijing’s sharper tone reflected growing concern over deepening defense cooperation between Washington and Taipei.

Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz also featured prominently in discussions between Trump and Xi, according to U.S. officials.

Trump said both leaders agreed the strategic waterway should reopen after disruptions linked to the Iran conflict sharply reduced oil shipments and fueled volatility in global energy markets. Before the conflict erupted on Feb. 28, roughly one-fifth of global oil supplies passed through the strait.

Speaking to Fox News, Trump said Xi had privately offered assistance in resolving the conflict and expressed opposition to imposing tolls on vessels crossing Hormuz.

“He’d like to see the Hormuz Strait open,” Trump said, adding that Xi indicated China could consider purchasing more U.S. oil to reduce reliance on Gulf supplies over time.

Beijing has criticized U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran but also faces economic risks from prolonged instability in the Gulf, given China’s dependence on imported energy and export-driven growth model.

Rubio said administration officials sought to persuade Chinese counterparts that resolving the conflict aligned with Beijing’s economic interests, warning that sustained turmoil could weaken global demand and harm Chinese exports.

Trade and investment were also central to the visit, with the White House signaling before Trump’s arrival that it expected concrete economic outcomes from the trip.

Trump said Xi had indicated China could purchase 200 Boeing aircraft from the United States, while both governments discussed increasing Chinese imports of U.S. agricultural products including soybeans and beef.
The two sides also explored expanding bilateral investment opportunities and establishing a joint trade board aimed at managing commercial disputes, according to the White House.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang emphasized stability and cooperation during meetings with senior American business executives accompanying Trump’s delegation, including Elon Musk, Tim Cook and Jensen Huang.

“China and the United States have been able to maintain frank and smooth dialogue and communication,” Li said, while calling for both sides to safeguard stable bilateral ties amid global uncertainty.

The report by Iran’s Fars news agency came hours after Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed during summit talks in Beijing that the Strait of Hormuz should remain open to ensure uninterrupted global energy supplies.

According to Fars, citing an informed source, the arrangement followed requests from China’s foreign minister and ambassador to Tehran. Iran subsequently agreed to facilitate the passage of a number of Chinese-linked vessels within what the report described as the framework of the two countries’ strategic partnership.

The report did not specify how many ships would be permitted to transit or whether broader restrictions on international shipping remained in place.Iran sharply tightened controls over movement through the Strait following the start of US and Israeli strikes on Feb. 28, significantly disrupting maritime traffic through one of the world’s most important energy corridors.

The situation worsened after a US blockade on Iranian ports began shortly after a ceasefire agreement reached in early April, prolonging instability across the Gulf region and affecting shipping routes responsible for roughly one-fifth of global oil and natural gas flows.It remained unclear how significantly the latest arrangement would alter maritime operations in practice.

During the conflict, Iranian authorities had already indicated that vessels considered neutral particularly those linked to China — could pass through the Strait if they coordinated movements with Iranian military forces.

Ship-tracking data showed that a Chinese supertanker carrying around 2 million barrels of Iraqi crude successfully passed through the Strait on Wednesday after being stranded in Gulf waters for more than two months due to the conflict.

The renewed movement of Chinese vessels through Hormuz highlights Beijing’s growing diplomatic and economic engagement in Gulf security issues as disruptions in the region continue to fuel volatility in global energy markets.

The report by Iran’s Fars news agency came hours after Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed during summit talks in Beijing that the Strait of Hormuz should remain open to ensure uninterrupted global energy supplies.

According to Fars, citing an informed source, the arrangement followed requests from China’s foreign minister and ambassador to Tehran. Iran subsequently agreed to facilitate the passage of a number of Chinese-linked vessels within what the report described as the framework of the two countries’ strategic partnership.

The report did not specify how many ships would be permitted to transit or whether broader restrictions on international shipping remained in place.Iran sharply tightened controls over movement through the Strait following the start of US and Israeli strikes on Feb. 28, significantly disrupting maritime traffic through one of the world’s most important energy corridors.

The situation worsened after a US blockade on Iranian ports began shortly after a ceasefire agreement reached in early April, prolonging instability across the Gulf region and affecting shipping routes responsible for roughly one-fifth of global oil and natural gas flows.

It remained unclear how significantly the latest arrangement would alter maritime operations in practice. During the conflict, Iranian authorities had already indicated that vessels considered neutral — particularly those linked to China could pass through the Strait if they coordinated movements with Iranian military forces.

Ship-tracking data showed that a Chinese supertanker carrying around 2 million barrels of Iraqi crude successfully passed through the Strait on Wednesday after being stranded in Gulf waters for more than two months due to the conflict.

The renewed movement of Chinese vessels through Hormuz highlights Beijing’s growing diplomatic and economic engagement in Gulf security issues as disruptions in the region continue to fuel volatility in global energy markets.

Rubio, a longtime China hawk and former senator, had been sanctioned twice by Beijing over his criticism of China’s human rights policies, including measures linked to alleged forced labor involving the Uyghur minority and Beijing’s crackdown in Hong Kong.

The sanctions, imposed before Rubio joined the administration, reportedly included an entry ban under the original Chinese spelling of his name.Two diplomats familiar with the matter said Chinese authorities began using a different Chinese character for the “Lu” portion of Rubio’s surname shortly before he took office in January 2025, effectively sidestepping the technical implications of the earlier sanctions.

China’s embassy in Washington did not immediately comment on the reported change.A U.S. State Department official confirmed Rubio was traveling with Trump aboard Air Force One but declined to address questions regarding the sanctions issue.

Rubio’s visit marks his first trip to China and comes amid efforts by the Trump administration to stabilize ties with Beijing while simultaneously competing over trade, technology and regional security.

As a senator, Rubio was among the most outspoken congressional critics of China and played a central role in drafting legislation that imposed broad U.S. sanctions tied to alleged abuses against the predominantly Muslim Uyghur population in the Xinjiang region.

During his Senate confirmation hearing for secretary of state, Rubio described China as an unprecedented geopolitical challenge for the United States.Since taking office, however, Rubio has aligned more closely with Trump’s emphasis on maintaining economic engagement with China.

Trump has repeatedly characterized Chinese President Xi Jinping as a friend and prioritized efforts to deepen trade cooperation despite persistent tensions over Taiwan, security issues and human rights.

Rubio nevertheless reassured allies in Taiwan last year by stating that the administration would not negotiate the future of the self-governing island in exchange for trade concessions from Beijing.

The visit underscores the increasingly pragmatic tone adopted by both Washington and Beijing as the world’s two largest economies seek to manage strategic rivalry while preserving high-level diplomatic channels.

Trump told reporters at the White House that Taiwan policy would remain part of discussions with Xi despite Beijing’s longstanding opposition to U.S. military support for the island.

“President Xi would like us not to,” Trump said when asked about continued U.S. weapons sales to Taiwan. “That’s one of the many things I’ll be talking about.”
China regards Taiwan as part of its territory and has repeatedly condemned U.S. military assistance to the democratically governed island, while Taiwan rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims.

The United States maintains a “one-China policy,” formally recognizing Beijing while remaining legally obligated under U.S. law to help Taiwan maintain defensive capabilities.

Tensions between Washington and Beijing intensified in December when the Trump administration approved an arms package for Taiwan valued at more than $11 billion, the largest such deal announced by the United States.

Trump administration officials have also recently urged Taiwan to increase defense spending as pressure from China continues to grow in the Taiwan Strait.

Despite heightened regional tensions, Trump said he did not believe military conflict over Taiwan would erupt during his presidency, citing his personal relationship with Xi.

In Taipei, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hsiao Kuang-wei said Taiwan would continue strengthening defense cooperation with Washington and building deterrence capabilities to preserve regional stability.

Trump also said he intended to raise the case of Lai, the founder of the now-closed Apple Daily newspaper and one of Hong Kong’s most prominent pro-democracy figures.

Lai was sentenced in February to 20 years in prison on charges including conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and publishing seditious materials under Hong Kong’s national security framework.

“People would like him out, and I’d like to see him get out too,” Trump said, adding that he had previously discussed the matter with Chinese officials.
Lai’s imprisonment has drawn criticism from Western governments and international rights organizations, which argue that Beijing’s national security crackdown has sharply curtailed civil liberties and press freedom in Hong Kong.

Trump said he would also raise the detention of Jin Mingri, leader of the independent Zion Church, who was arrested after Chinese authorities tightened restrictions on unauthorized religious activity and online preaching.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he spoke by video call with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to discuss preparations for Trump’s planned May 14–15 visit to China, which would mark a major diplomatic engagement between the world’s two largest economies.

“Our meeting was both candid and comprehensive, and I stressed that China’s recent provocative extraterritorial regulations have a chilling effect on global supply chains,” Bessent said in a post on X.

His remarks marked one of the Trump administration’s clearest public criticisms of Beijing’s newly introduced supply chain regulations, which U.S. businesses and analysts say could make it harder for foreign firms to diversify sourcing of critical minerals and industrial goods away from China.

The rules, introduced in recent weeks, create a legal framework that could penalize foreign companies shifting supply chains out of China, particularly in sectors involving rare earths and strategic manufacturing inputs.Analysts have described the move as a significant escalation that could complicate Washington’s broader effort to reduce dependence on Chinese-controlled supply chains.

Bessent did not outline a direct U.S. response to the measures but said he looked forward to “a productive summit” between Trump and Xi.Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said He Lifeng had “candid, in-depth and constructive exchanges” with Bessent and Greer and that Beijing had raised “serious concerns” over recent U.S. trade-restrictive measures targeting China.

According to CCTV, both sides agreed to enhance consensus, manage differences and strengthen cooperation, signaling that preparations for the summit remain on track despite persistent tensions.The officials last met in person in Paris in March, where they discussed possible Chinese purchases of U.S. agricultural goods and the creation of new joint mechanisms to manage trade and investment disputes.

Chinese officials also used those talks to object to new tariff investigations launched by Trump’s administration after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down his earlier global tariff framework in February.Trump had delayed his Beijing trip because of the U.S.-Israeli war involving Iran, but officials on both sides now appear focused on preserving stability ahead of the summit.

In a separate diplomatic exchange on Thursday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Taiwan remained the “biggest point of risk” in bilateral ties, underscoring broader geopolitical tensions beyond trade.

The two countries reached a fragile trade truce last October during talks in Busan, South Korea, after months of retaliatory tariffs triggered by Trump’s “Liberation Day” duties and China’s restrictions on exports of rare earths and other critical minerals.

As the summit approaches, U.S. lawmakers and industry groups are also pressing the administration not to grant China greater access to the American automotive sector.Ten U.S. steel industry groups wrote to Bessent, Greer, Rubio and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Thursday, warning against allowing Chinese investment into the U.S. auto market.

The groups said such access could weaken domestic manufacturing competitiveness and create national security risks linked to data collection and strategic industrial dependence.At the same time, both governments have continued to build leverage ahead of the leaders’ meeting, with China advancing its new supply chain rules and Washington tightening restrictions on tool shipments to one of China’s major semiconductor manufacturers.

Chinese state media said both sides had expressed willingness to promote the “healthy, stable and sustainable development” of bilateral economic and trade relations.