Xi to press Trump on Taiwan arms sales halt in Washington talks

Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to urge US President Donald Trump to suspend arms sales and deliveries to Taiwan during their Washington meeting this week, according to sources briefed on the matter. Beijing views Taiwan as its own territory and has long demanded an end to American weapons transfers. China is expected to cite the 1982 joint communique, where the US stated its intention to gradually reduce arms sales, though a Reagan-era memo conditioned this on China's peaceful approach. Chinese military activity near Taiwan has escalated over five years, and state media warned mishandling could endanger bilateral ties. Xi arrives Wednesday, with talks Thursday and an Archives visit Friday. A White House official said Trump will decide on a new Taiwan arms package soon, noting his approvals have already surpassed Biden's four-year total. China has also sought to halt deliveries of paid-for weapons and offered help pressuring Iran in exchange.