Taiwan Watches Xi-Trump Meeting, Hopes US Arms Sales Continue

Taiwan expressed confidence that U.S. arms sales will continue as China's Xi Jinping arrived in Washington to meet President Donald Trump, despite Beijing's pressure to halt them. The U.S. paused a $14 billion package after a May summit, with Trump calling sales a negotiating chip. Taiwanese Defense Ministry spokesperson Maj. Gen. Chiao Fu-chun said Taiwan maintains close contact with the U.S. to ensure procurement proceeds as planned, citing U.S. laws requiring support for Taiwan's self-defense. Washington approved an $11 billion package in December. Hours before Xi's arrival, Taiwan conducted live fire drills featuring the domestically developed Cheetah armored vehicle. Trump has pressed President Lai Ching-te to raise defense spending, which will exceed 3% of GDP in 2027, with a pledge to reach 5% by 2030.