Chinese Scholar: Arms Sales to Taiwan After US-China Summit May Impact Economic Cooperation
Following the 'Trump-Xi' summit, a Chinese scholar stated that while bilateral cooperation exists on issues like Iran, US arms sales to Taiwan remain a major obstacle that could disrupt economic and trade outcomes.
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- 📰 Published: May 16, 2026 at 09:33
- 🔍 Collected: May 16, 2026 at 10:01 (27 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 16, 2026 at 12:41 (2h 39m after Collected)
(Central News Agency, reporter Zhang Shujing, Beijing, May 16) Chinese scholars expressed that after this 'Trump-Xi' meeting, China got 'neither better nor worse' on the Taiwan issue, which it cares about most. There were gains in trade, but this may be impacted by upcoming US arms sales to Taiwan. A bigger gain for the US was obtaining a new position from China on the Iran issue.
Shen Dingli, an expert in international relations in Shanghai, told CNA that China believes 'the Taiwan issue is the most important issue in US-China relations,' but China seems not to have obtained a statement from the US opposing 'Taiwan independence.' US arms sales to Taiwan are unlikely to shrink because if the US agreed to limit arms sales, 'the Chinese side would have no reason not to make it official,' and 'this matter cannot be hidden.'
Foreign media reported on the evening of the 15th that US President Trump, finishing his visit to China, stated aboard Air Force One that he made no promises to Chinese President Xi Jinping on the Taiwan issue and will soon decide on a $14 billion arms sale case to Taiwan.
Shen Dingli said the only 'concession' by the US side is that the next batch of arms sales to Taiwan will wait until Trump returns to the US to be approved. 'Originally, when it would be approved would not be discussed with China, but for the sake of a smooth visit to China, it was discussed to postpone the sale, not cancel it.'
Currently, a $14 billion arms sale case awaits Trump's decision, which may be approved after he returns to the US. Shen believes this will challenge 'constructive strategic stability' between the US and China.
In addition, regarding the Iran issue, after the Trump-Xi meeting on the 14th, a summary released by the White House stated that both sides agreed the Strait of Hormuz must remain open to ensure the free flow of energy. President Xi also stated China opposes the militarization of the Strait of Hormuz and any fees imposed for passage, and expressed an intention to purchase more US oil to reduce China's future reliance on the Strait of Hormuz. 'The US and China agree Iran must not possess nuclear weapons.'
However, in the report of the Trump-Xi meeting released by China's official media Xinhua, related content only mentioned that 'the two heads of state exchanged views on major international and regional issues such as the situation in the Middle East, the Russia-Ukraine war, and the Korean Peninsula.'
Shen Dingli said China's past attitude has been that all non-nuclear weapon states should abide by the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, and disputes should be resolved peacefully. 'The US and China agree Iran must not possess nuclear weapons' is strong language, which can be interpreted as a policy adjustment by China in this area.
Regarding US-China economic and trade aspects, he believes that some policies will be announced one after another, and besides purchase orders, some export restrictions or sanctions may be postponed, but these are fragile and may be impacted by US arms sales to Taiwan of record scale. (Editor: Zhou Huiying) 1150516
Shen Dingli, an expert in international relations in Shanghai, told CNA that China believes 'the Taiwan issue is the most important issue in US-China relations,' but China seems not to have obtained a statement from the US opposing 'Taiwan independence.' US arms sales to Taiwan are unlikely to shrink because if the US agreed to limit arms sales, 'the Chinese side would have no reason not to make it official,' and 'this matter cannot be hidden.'
Foreign media reported on the evening of the 15th that US President Trump, finishing his visit to China, stated aboard Air Force One that he made no promises to Chinese President Xi Jinping on the Taiwan issue and will soon decide on a $14 billion arms sale case to Taiwan.
Shen Dingli said the only 'concession' by the US side is that the next batch of arms sales to Taiwan will wait until Trump returns to the US to be approved. 'Originally, when it would be approved would not be discussed with China, but for the sake of a smooth visit to China, it was discussed to postpone the sale, not cancel it.'
Currently, a $14 billion arms sale case awaits Trump's decision, which may be approved after he returns to the US. Shen believes this will challenge 'constructive strategic stability' between the US and China.
In addition, regarding the Iran issue, after the Trump-Xi meeting on the 14th, a summary released by the White House stated that both sides agreed the Strait of Hormuz must remain open to ensure the free flow of energy. President Xi also stated China opposes the militarization of the Strait of Hormuz and any fees imposed for passage, and expressed an intention to purchase more US oil to reduce China's future reliance on the Strait of Hormuz. 'The US and China agree Iran must not possess nuclear weapons.'
However, in the report of the Trump-Xi meeting released by China's official media Xinhua, related content only mentioned that 'the two heads of state exchanged views on major international and regional issues such as the situation in the Middle East, the Russia-Ukraine war, and the Korean Peninsula.'
Shen Dingli said China's past attitude has been that all non-nuclear weapon states should abide by the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, and disputes should be resolved peacefully. 'The US and China agree Iran must not possess nuclear weapons' is strong language, which can be interpreted as a policy adjustment by China in this area.
Regarding US-China economic and trade aspects, he believes that some policies will be announced one after another, and besides purchase orders, some export restrictions or sanctions may be postponed, but these are fragile and may be impacted by US arms sales to Taiwan of record scale. (Editor: Zhou Huiying) 1150516