Trump and Xi Face Taiwan Arms Deal Test

A $14 billion US arms sale to Taiwan is poised to be a key point of tension in the upcoming meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington, testing the fragile détente between the two powers. Beijing views the arms package as a violation of its sovereignty and the One-China principle, while Washington sees it as a negotiating chip. China seeks to delay the sale, potentially threatening rare earth export restrictions, while the US wants Chinese help pressuring Iran on the Strait of Hormuz. The sale, including missiles and air defense systems, remains under review. Analysts note Taiwan is the issue most capable of causing a complete breakdown in US-China relations, with Beijing rejecting any framework that treats the island as a bargaining point.