Xi to Press Trump to Halt Taiwan Arms Sales, Citing 1982 Accord

China's Xi Jinping is expected to urge President Donald Trump to halt U.S. arms sales to Taiwan during his Washington visit this week, citing a 1982 joint communique, according to sources briefed on the matter. Beijing views Taiwan as its own territory and has repeatedly demanded an end to weapons sales, which the U.S. is legally bound to provide for Taiwan's self-defense. China may raise the 1982 agreement's pledge to gradually reduce sales, though a Reagan-era memo conditioned that on China's peaceful approach to Taiwan. Xi arrives Wednesday for talks Thursday and an archives visit Friday. China has also requested stopping deliveries of already-ordered arms, while offering help on Iran. Trump approved record Taiwan arms sales in both terms, with an $11 billion package approved in December and a $14 billion one on hold.