U.S. Arms Sale to Taiwan in Limbo Amid Pressure From China

President Trump weighs concerns from Chinese leader Xi Jinping ahead of upcoming Beijing visit

Feb. 21, 2026 at 10:07pm

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A major U.S. arms sale to Taiwan is on hold following pressure from Chinese President Xi Jinping, who urged caution on the deal in a phone call with President Trump. Some in the Trump administration are also concerned that approving the weapons sale could derail Trump's upcoming visit to Beijing.

Why it matters

The potential arms sale to Taiwan is a sensitive issue, as China claims the island as part of its territory. Any U.S. military support for Taiwan risks angering China and complicating diplomatic relations between the two superpowers.

The details

According to U.S. officials, Chinese leader Xi Jinping pressed President Trump to be cautious about approving the arms sale to Taiwan during a recent phone call. The Trump administration is now weighing whether to move forward with the sale, as some officials are worried it could derail Trump's planned visit to Beijing in the first week of April.

  • Earlier this month, Xi Jinping spoke with President Trump on the phone.
  • President Trump's visit to Beijing is scheduled for the first week of April.

The players

Xi Jinping

The current president of the People's Republic of China.

Donald Trump

The 45th president of the United States.

Taiwan

A democratic, self-governing island that China claims as part of its territory.

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What’s next

The Trump administration must decide whether to move forward with the arms sale to Taiwan, weighing the potential diplomatic fallout with China against the strategic importance of supporting Taiwan.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the delicate balance the U.S. must strike in its relations with China and Taiwan, as any perceived support for Taiwanese independence risks provoking a strong reaction from Beijing.