Trump-Xi Meeting Approaches, National Security Official: Beijing May Pressure US to Cut Arms Sales to Taiwan Citing KMT's Military Budget Cuts
Ahead of the 'Trump-Xi meeting,' a national security official stated that the biggest risk to Taiwan is not US President Trump, but rather Beijing potentially using the KMT's significant cuts to US military purchases last week as an excuse to persuade Trump to stop or reduce defense support for Taiwan, citing the Taiwanese parliament's opposition to buying weapons. This could have a significant impact on Taiwan's security.
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- 📰 Published: May 12, 2026 at 18:56
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Wen Kuei-hsiang, Taipei, 12th) With the 'Trump-Xi meeting' approaching, a national security official stated today that the biggest risk to Taiwan is not US President Donald Trump, but rather Beijing potentially using the KMT's significant cuts to US military purchases last week as an excuse to persuade Trump to stop or reduce defense support for Taiwan, citing the Taiwanese parliament's opposition to buying weapons. This is Taiwan's biggest risk.
US President Donald Trump is scheduled to arrive in Beijing on the 13th for the 'Trump-Xi meeting' with Chinese President Xi Jinping; Trump previously stated that he would discuss future US arms sales to Taiwan with Xi Jinping.
The national security official stated today that from the US perspective, the most important goal is to 'manage China risk.' The US may intend to address two core issues at this Trump-Xi meeting: first, a phased resolution of the US-China trade conflict, including the impact of China's global dumping on the industrial base and people's livelihoods in the US, as well as national security risks brought by issues such as the red supply chain.
The national security official said that the second is to reduce the uncertainty that China brings to global geopolitics, whether in the Western Pacific (including the Taiwan Strait), or in the Middle East and even the Global South. China's non-peaceful expansion risks are increasing daily, and based on the necessity of overall security, this meeting is essential as a method to manage China risk.
The national security official stated that on September 3 last year, a 'CRINK' grand gathering of China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea appeared on the Tiananmen Gate Tower. The risks these countries bring to the world, not only economically but also in terms of security, have reached a critical moment that must be faced and resolved.
The national security official pointed out that viewing the 'Trump-Xi meeting' too much from the perspective of 'Taiwan-US-China' instead of 'US-China-Taiwan,' or even underestimating oneself by thinking Taiwan might be used as a bargaining chip, are typical examples of generalization and failure to see the true overall picture.
That person said, just like looking at Taiwan's military purchases, people always think it's placed on the scale of cross-strait relations, so they fall into the false formula of 'good cross-strait relations mean no need for armaments.' But in fact, the entire island chain is increasing defense preparations due to the Chinese threat, which is the true situation. For the US, the security of the first island chain and the stability of the Western Pacific are paramount national interests. 'Taiwan should not see the chopping board and think it is sashimi.'
Regarding US arms sales to Taiwan, the national security official stated that Beijing always mentions Taiwan and demands that the US stop arms sales to Taiwan at every high-level US-China meeting. However, the US has not changed its national security strategy because of this; instead, it has positioned Taiwan as a critical node in the global semiconductor supply chain, emphasizing Taiwan's important geopolitical location, connecting the Indo-Pacific shipping lanes and regional security structure, which has a significant impact on US economy and strategy. And it is committed to building a military force that can deter aggression in the first island chain, with the goal of enhancing the collective denial capability for Taiwan and the surrounding region.
The national security official stated that Taiwan's overall defense strengthening has progressed most rapidly in recent years with US cooperation and assistance; only during the last KMT administration did Taiwan itself reduce defense investment, allowing China's military investment to grow by double digits.
The national security official believes that instead of worrying about becoming a bargaining chip, Taiwan should continue to make itself indispensable. (Editor: Hsieh Chia-chen) 1150512
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(Central News Agency reporter Wen Kuei-hsiang, Taipei, 12th) With the 'Trump-Xi meeting' approaching, a national security official stated today that the biggest risk to Taiwan is not US President Donald Trump, but rather Beijing potentially using the KMT's significant cuts to US military purchases last week as an excuse to persuade Trump to stop or reduce defense support for Taiwan, citing the Taiwanese parliament's opposition to buying weapons. This is Taiwan's biggest risk.
US President Donald Trump is scheduled to arrive in Beijing on the 13th for the 'Trump-Xi meeting' with Chinese President Xi Jinping; Trump previously stated that he would discuss future US arms sales to Taiwan with Xi Jinping.
The national security official stated today that from the US perspective, the most important goal is to 'manage China risk.' The US may intend to address two core issues at this Trump-Xi meeting: first, a phased resolution of the US-China trade conflict, including the impact of China's global dumping on the industrial base and people's livelihoods in the US, as well as national security risks brought by issues such as the red supply chain.
The national security official said that the second is to reduce the uncertainty that China brings to global geopolitics, whether in the Western Pacific (including the Taiwan Strait), or in the Middle East and even the Global South. China's non-peaceful expansion risks are increasing daily, and based on the necessity of overall security, this meeting is essential as a method to manage China risk.
The national security official stated that on September 3 last year, a 'CRINK' grand gathering of China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea appeared on the Tiananmen Gate Tower. The risks these countries bring to the world, not only economically but also in terms of security, have reached a critical moment that must be faced and resolved.
The national security official pointed out that viewing the 'Trump-Xi meeting' too much from the perspective of 'Taiwan-US-China' instead of 'US-China-Taiwan,' or even underestimating oneself by thinking Taiwan might be used as a bargaining chip, are typical examples of generalization and failure to see the true overall picture.
That person said, just like looking at Taiwan's military purchases, people always think it's placed on the scale of cross-strait relations, so they fall into the false formula of 'good cross-strait relations mean no need for armaments.' But in fact, the entire island chain is increasing defense preparations due to the Chinese threat, which is the true situation. For the US, the security of the first island chain and the stability of the Western Pacific are paramount national interests. 'Taiwan should not see the chopping board and think it is sashimi.'
Regarding US arms sales to Taiwan, the national security official stated that Beijing always mentions Taiwan and demands that the US stop arms sales to Taiwan at every high-level US-China meeting. However, the US has not changed its national security strategy because of this; instead, it has positioned Taiwan as a critical node in the global semiconductor supply chain, emphasizing Taiwan's important geopolitical location, connecting the Indo-Pacific shipping lanes and regional security structure, which has a significant impact on US economy and strategy. And it is committed to building a military force that can deter aggression in the first island chain, with the goal of enhancing the collective denial capability for Taiwan and the surrounding region.
The national security official stated that Taiwan's overall defense strengthening has progressed most rapidly in recent years with US cooperation and assistance; only during the last KMT administration did Taiwan itself reduce defense investment, allowing China's military investment to grow by double digits.
The national security official believes that instead of worrying about becoming a bargaining chip, Taiwan should continue to make itself indispensable. (Editor: Hsieh Chia-chen) 1150512
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and audio-visual content of this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.