Xi Jinping to Press Trump on Taiwan Arms Sales, Offer Iran Leverage

Chinese President Xi Jinping will press Donald Trump during a Washington visit this week to halt US arms sales to Taiwan, citing a 1982 joint communique, according to Reuters sources. Taiwan is expected to be a key discussion topic at Thursday's meeting. China views Taiwan as its territory and has repeatedly demanded an end to weapons sales. The US is legally bound to provide Taiwan with self-defense means, while Taiwan's government rejects Beijing's sovereignty claims. Beijing may raise its interpretation of the 1982 declaration, which included a US pledge to gradually reduce arms sales. In exchange, China will offer to pressure Iran regarding the Middle East war, sources said. A $14 billion arms package to Taiwan has been pending for months, with Trump calling it "good bargaining leverage." China has intensified military activities around Taiwan, conducting near-daily operations.