A White House official told Taiwanese media on Wednesday that U.S. President Trump will make a decision regarding a new arms sales package to Taiwan within a relatively short period of time.
On the same day, Trump stated that he would speak with Taiwan President Lai Ching-te. The Trump administration is currently considering whether to proceed with a $14 billion (approximately RM56.6 billion) arms sale to Taiwan, a potential deal that has already drawn criticism from Mainland China.
Trump also said: “We have things well under control. We had a great meeting with Chairman Xi... We will handle the Taiwan issue.” Last Friday, Trump concluded a three-day state visit to China.
Since 1979, following the severing of diplomatic ties between the U.S. and Taiwan and the establishment of diplomatic relations with Mainland China, leaders of the U.S. and Taiwan have only had one brief conversation in the past 47 years. In 2016, then Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen called to congratulate Trump after his first presidential election victory.
A White House official provided background information to Taiwan’s United Daily News, stating, as Trump mentioned, that he will decide on the new arms sales package for Taiwan within a relatively short period.
The White House also noted that Trump approved $11.1 billion (approximately RM44.1 billion) in arms sales to Taiwan last December, in line with U.S. policy since 1950.
The White House further stated that during his first term, Trump approved more arms sales to Taiwan than any other U.S. president; in his second term, the arms sales he approved exceeded the total amount approved during former President Biden's four-year term.