Trump and Xi to Meet This Week on Taiwan Arms Sales

President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Washington this week, with US arms sales to Taiwan expected to be a key topic. Beijing plans to demand Washington halt both new and already-ordered weapons deliveries to Taipei, according to Reuters. China will likely cite the 1982 US-China communique, where Washington pledged to gradually reduce arms sales to Taiwan. Beijing may also push to stop two major packages, including a record $11 billion deal approved in December and a delayed $14 billion package. In exchange, China could offer help pressuring Iran. US Republican lawmakers have urged Trump to maintain current Taiwan policy and reject Chinese demands. Former officials do not expect substantial agreements on Taiwan, though Xi may detail Beijing's position. China has significantly increased military activity around Taiwan over the past five years.