Good Morning World》Trump-Xi Summit to Discuss US Arms Sales to Taiwan; National Security Officials: Beijing May Use Taiwan's Defense Cuts to Pressure US

The bilateral summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to take place in Beijing on the 14th. The agenda is expected to include US-China trade and technology disputes, and the Iran ceasefire. Prior to his trip, Trump stated that US arms sales to Taiwan would also be discussed. Republican Senator Thom Tillis, who co-signed a letter urging Trump to accelerate the $14 billion arms sale package to Taiwan, pointed out that on the issue of arms sales to Taiwan, the US must clearly state that its position has not changed. Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on the 12th that China's opposition to US arms sales to Taiwan continues to express an unreasonable and untenable stance, attempting to confuse and distort the facts. National security officials believe that the biggest risk to Taiwan is not Trump, but rather that Beijing may use the KMT's substantial reduction of US arms purchases last week to persuade Trump to stop or reduce defense support for Taiwan. Experts believe that despite Trump's reputation for pragmatic 'transactional personality,' his administration has not viewed difficult issues in US-China relations as 'exchangeable' bargaining chips. (Read the full report)

The Legislative Yuan passed the third reading of the Special Act for National Defense on the 8th, setting an upper limit of NT$780 billion, excluding commercial purchases and commissioned manufacturing projects, reducing the total by NT$470 billion compared to the Executive Yuan's proposal. There is public concern over whether the Executive Yuan will introduce another special act or supplementary budget for items excluded from the arms purchase act, such as drones. Premier Cho Jung-tai stated on the 12th that the three pieces of the arms purchase puzzle cannot be missing any. The government will seek the most advantageous path under the Constitution and Budget Act to secure the necessary funds from the Legislative Yuan as soon as possible to meet the autonomous development of the domestic defense industry. Retired Australian Army Major General Mick Ryan pointed out that the cut in Taiwan's domestic drone budget will lead to greater reliance on US weapons, and the risk of Taiwan's weapon sources being intercepted by the PLA will increase accordingly. (Read the full report)

President Lai Ching-te delivered a video speech at the 9th Copenhagen Democracy Summit on the 12th. He mentioned that China uses global aviation safety and civil aviation order as leverage for political pressure, and in the face of authoritarian expansion, no democratic country can stand idly by. Taiwan, located at a critical position in the first island chain and at the forefront of the democratic defense line, is willing to share its experience in dealing with authoritarian forces with the international community. President Lai also emphasized that Taiwan is a sovereign and independent country, and the Taiwanese people have the right to engage with the world and the ability to contribute to the world. Any attempts to isolate Taiwan will not change its determination to participate in the international community. (Read the full report)

The two-year buffer period for the nurse-patient ratio has caused dissatisfaction among some nursing groups. President Lai Ching-te announced at the joint celebration of International Nurses Day on the 12th that the implementation, originally scheduled for May 1, 2028, will be adjusted to a phased implementation starting May 20, 2027. Simultaneously, a medical workforce research and improvement task force will be established, with the proportion of nursing committee members not less than 1/3. Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang stated that the plan is for medical centers to implement the first phase next year. (Read the full report)

The Danjiang Bridge, connecting Tamsui and Bali in New Taipei City, officially opened for traffic at 11:30 AM on the 12th. The immediate opening attracted a large number of road users, cyclists, and pedestrians eager to experience the bridge. Minister of Transportation and Communications Chen Shih-kai presided over the unveiling of the Danjiang Bridge Management Center and the traffic blessing ceremony, personally driving across the bridge with engineers to thank the construction team for their efforts. He emphasized that the Danjiang Bridge will be an important landmark and tourist attraction in Taiwan. The Directorate General of Highways stated that as of 3:30 PM, the cumulative two-way traffic volume reached 28,000 vehicles, including 7,324 southbound and 7,478 northbound on the main lanes, and 6,843 southbound and 6,804 northbound on the motorcycle lanes. (Read the full report)

The Ministry of Health and Welfare's Health Promotion Administration has introduced two reforms for newborn congenital metabolic disorder screening. Starting in July this year, the current partial subsidy will be changed to a full subsidy, increasing the NT$200 screening fee to NT$750. Additionally, Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) will be added to the original 21检测項目, benefiting an estimated nearly 100,000 people. The Health Promotion Administration reminds that a positive screening result for newborn congenital metabolic disorder does not necessarily mean the disease is confirmed. If notified, arranging further confirmatory tests for the baby as soon as possible can lead to early detection and proper treatment for some congenital metabolic disorders. (Read the full report)

Rising oil prices due to Middle East conflicts have prompted the Ministry of Transportation and Communications to implement an oil price subsidy program for taxis to alleviate operational burdens, providing a subsidy of NT$5 per liter for fuel, with a maximum of NT$6,000 per vehicle. The Directorate General of Highways announced that registration will open early on the 13th, with the application period for the subsidy measure ending on August 31st this year and the usage period ending on December 31st. (Read the full report)

TSMC, the world's largest contract chipmaker, held a board meeting on the 12th and approved a cash dividend of NT$7 per share for the first quarter of 2026, an increase of NT$1 per share from NT$6 per share in the fourth quarter of 2025. The board also approved a capital budget of US$31.2843 billion, or approximately NT$984.8 billion, for building advanced process capacity, as well as plant construction and facility engineering. (Read the full report)

The Taichung District Prosecutors Office recently stated that Hung Yue-peng, responsible person of Wanli Development Company, colluded with six managers and assistant managers of Taichung Bank to open commercial accounts to assist gambling and fraud groups in laundering over NT$3.6 billion. The Financial Supervisory Commission stated on the 12th that 10 branches of Taichung Bank handled 21 corporate customer deposit account openings starting from April 2024, and lacked proper review mechanisms for customer due diligence and online banking limits. Furthermore, there were multiple deficiencies in subsequent reporting of suspicious money laundering transactions, resulting in a hefty fine of NT$32 million, the highest fine in Taiwan's banking history. (Read the full report)

A Chinese influencer revealed that she once imported large quantities of industrial-grade stainless steel tableware made in China into Taiwan, seizing market share through price competition. Night market and traditional market vendors favored wholesale purchases, turning them into eco-friendly tableware. The Ministry of Health and Welfare's Food and Drug Administration stated that it has launched market inspections and sampling. In the past three years of special inspections for food containers, all stainless steel products have complied with regulations. Toxicologist and attending physician at Chang Gung Hospital's Nephrology Department, Professor Yen Chung-hai, urged consumers not to panic for now. He suggested that for household stainless steel tableware, cookware, and kettles, consumers can choose "300 series" products. He added that even if manganese-containing stainless steel tableware is used, it should not cause heavy metal poisoning; clinically, most manganese poisoning patients are factory workers.