US Senators Urge Trump to Release Taiwan Arms Sales

Bipartisan groups of US senators urged Donald Trump to maintain strong defense support for Taiwan as Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Washington for a summit on September 24. The pressure follows the administration's decision to hold a $14 billion arms package, which Trump previously described as a "very good negotiating chip" in dealings with China.

Four Republican senators, including Mitch McConnell, wrote to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth demanding the release of over $15 billion in stalled assistance. They argued that withholding deterrent capabilities undermines US influence in the Indo-Pacific. Secretary Rubio defended the delays, citing the need to balance global needs and current inventory limitations.

Simultaneously, seven Democratic senators called on Trump to restrict China's access to advanced chips and pressure Beijing to stop supporting Russia's war in Ukraine. They warned against allowing President Xi to leave the summit stronger than when he arrived. President Xi, visiting the US for the first time in 11 years, is expected to press for a total halt to Taiwan arms sales, which China considers a red line.

Taiwan's government expressed gratitude for long-standing US support and stated it is monitoring the summit's developments. The European Union also reaffirmed that UN Resolution 2758 does not mention Taiwan, asserting the island should be free to join international organizations.