diplomacyMonday, May 11, 2026event May 122 sources
Trump to Discuss Arms Sales to Taiwan with China's Xi Jinping
On May 12, 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping to address the issue of arms sales to Taiwan. The meeting comes amid heightened tensions over U.S. military support for Taiwan, which China claims as its territory. The discussion is expected to focus on slowing the approval of additional weapons for Taiwan.
U.S. weapons sales to Taiwan have long been a point of contention with Beijing, which asserts Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. The meeting between Trump and Xi is seen as a critical opportunity to de-escalate tensions. The New York Times reports that Xi is likely to press Trump to slow the approval of more arms for Taiwan, while Al Jazeera notes that the issue has been a longstanding source of friction between the U.S. and China.
Timelines
Sources
IndependentNew York TimesMay 12, 08:00 AM
Xi Poised to Press Trump on Arms Sales to TaiwanBeijing has called Taiwan the “core of China’s core interests.” Xi Jinping is likely to focus on getting President Trump to slow approval of more weapons for the self-governing island.
IndependentAl JazeeraMay 11, 11:11 PM
Trump says he will discuss arms sales to Taiwan in meeting with China’s XiUS weapons sales to Taiwan have been longstanding source of tension with Beijing, which claims island as its territory.