U.S. President Donald Trump has said he has not yet decided whether to proceed with a major arms package for Taiwan following a diplomatic summit in Beijing aimed at easing tensions between Washington and Beijing.
Trump made the remarks while returning to Washington after a three-day visit to China, where he held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The discussions focused on stabilising relations between the two global powers, even as disagreements remain over Taiwan and Iran.
Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump suggested that the decision on the proposed arms sale was still under review, noting concerns raised during his meeting with Xi.
“I’ll be making decisions,” Trump said. “But, you know, I think the last thing we need right now is a war that’s 9,500 miles away.”
Taiwan, a self-governed island, is claimed by China as part of its territory, making U.S. arms sales to Taipei a longstanding source of friction between Washington and Beijing.
The Republican administration had previously authorised an $11 billion arms package for Taiwan in December, though the deal has not yet been implemented. In January, lawmakers also approved an additional $14 billion in military sales, but formal transmission to Congress is still pending presidential action.
China has consistently opposed U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, arguing that such moves undermine relations between the two countries and inflame regional tensions.
During the Beijing summit, Trump and Xi Jinping both described their discussions as constructive, signalling limited progress on broader bilateral issues, including Iran and regional security concerns. However, core disputes over Taiwan remain unresolved.
Trump reiterated that while discussions were productive, he remains cautious about escalating tensions, stressing the need to avoid another distant conflict involving major powers.
“I think the last thing we need right now is a war that’s 9,500 miles away,” he said, underscoring his administration’s ongoing review of the proposed weapons package.