Trump says he discussed Taiwan arms sales with Xi Jinping, decision soon

By Trevor Hunnicutt

ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE, May 15 (Reuters) – President Donald Trump said on Friday he discussed U.S. arms sales to Taiwan with Chinese President Xi Jinping during talks in Beijing and said he would soon make a decision on the matter, highlighting a flashpoint in U.S.-China relations.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on his return from China, Trump said he and Xi “talked a lot about Taiwan” but added that he did not believe there was conflict over the issue. He said he made no commitments to Xi regarding Taiwan.

Trump also said Xi asked directly whether the United States would defend Taiwan if China attacked the island, but that he declined to answer.

“There’s only one person that knows that, and it is me. I’m the only person,” Trump said. “That question was asked to me today by President Xi. I said, I don’t talk about that.”

China claims Taiwan as its own territory and has long opposed U.S. weapons sales to the island, which Beijing sees as interference in its internal affairs. The United States, despite lacking formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, remains Taiwan’s most important international backer and largest supplier of arms.

(Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt, Susan Heavey and Jarrett Renshaw; Writing by Doina Chiacu; editing by Michelle Nichols )