Video URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeWesawMVPs
Sources:
President Trump told Fox News that a $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan — approved by Congress in January — is “a very good negotiating chip” with China, and that he’s holding it “in abeyance” pending Chinese behavior. Trump described the pending $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan as a “very good negotiating chip” with China in a Fox News interview taped in Beijing on Friday, saying he had not yet approved the deal and was holding it “in abeyance” — Tom’s Hardware / AP
After two days of talks with Xi Jinping in Beijing. Trump spoke to reporters aboard Air Force One Friday at the conclusion of his two-day summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing — CBS News
The package includes PAC-3 missile interceptors and NASAMS air defense systems. The package includes PAC-3 MSE interceptors and NASAMS air defense missiles — Tom’s Hardware / AP
It has been ready for Trump’s signature for five months. The package had been ready for Trump’s signature since Congress approved it in January — Tom’s Hardware / AP
During the summit, Xi warned Trump directly that mishandling Taiwan could lead to “clashes and even conflicts.” A Chinese ministry spokesperson said Xi told Trump that if Taiwan is not handled properly, “the two countries will have clashes and even conflicts, putting the entire relationship in great jeopardy” — CBS News
Trump’s response, by his own account, was to hear Xi out and make no commitment either way. Trump downplayed the intensity of the discussion about Taiwan, telling reporters of Xi: “I heard him out,” but “I didn’t make a comment either way” — New York Post
The Taiwan Relations Act requires the United States to provide Taiwan with arms sufficient for its self-defense. Taiwan’s presidential office spokesperson Karen Kuo stressed that U.S. arms sales to Taiwan are stipulated by law — AP via KSAT
A bipartisan group of senators wrote to Trump before the trip stating Taiwan’s defense is “not up for negotiation.” A bipartisan group of U.S. senators wrote to Trump ahead of the trip urging him not to treat Taiwan’s defense as a bargaining tool, stating that American support for the island “is not up for negotiation” — Tom’s Hardware / AP