Chinese president Xi Jinping and US president Donald Trump
Trump’s remarks came even as Taiwan continues to wait for Washington’s approval of a proposed $14 billion arms package, which has been held up for months.
Taiwan deputy foreign minister Chen Ming-chi said Washington “very much” understands the island’s defence requirements and the military pressure it faces from China, adding that both sides remain in close communication. US President Donald Trump sought to play down Taiwan as a major point of friction with China after his summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, saying the two leaders did not discuss the issue in detail despite it being one of the most sensitive flashpoints in US-China ties. Trump and Xi met at the White House last week as the two countries sought to stabilise ties after months of tensions over trade, technology and other geopolitical issues. The summit produced an extension of the US-China trade truce, while differences over Taiwan, artificial intelligence and Iran remained unresolved. Taipei, meanwhile, sought to reassure domestic audiences that US support remained intact.
The package was reportedly put on hold after Trump’s meeting with Xi in Beijing earlier this year, and the US president has so far not indicated whether it will move forward following the latest summit.