Exclusive: New US weapons for Taiwan could be approved after Trump's China trip, sources say - Reuters

The Trump administration is considering approving new weapons sales to Taiwan following President Trump's anticipated trip to China, according to sources familiar with the matter. The timing suggests the White House may use weapons approvals as leverage in broader diplomatic negotiations with Beijing, which has consistently opposed U.S. arms sales to the island it claims as its territory. This potential approval would continue a longstanding U.S. policy of providing defensive weapons to Taiwan under the Taiwan Relations Act, despite lacking formal diplomatic relations with Taipei. Arms sales to Taiwan have historically been a major source of tension between Washington and Beijing, with China typically responding through diplomatic protests and sometimes military exercises. The decision would test Trump's approach to managing the complex U.S.-China-Taiwan triangle during his second term as president.