“President Trump continues to say, 'Hey, we sell arms to other people around the world.' … He actually asked President Xi, would he like to buy some, at one point. … [Trump] is as strong on Taiwan as I've ever seen anybody.
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Xi Arrives in Washington Expecting Trump to Freeze Taiwan Arms Sales Under a 1982 Communiqué — the $14 Billion Package Congress Approved in January Is Still Unsigned, John Moolenaar Says Beijing’s Objections Should Be "Rejected Out of Hand," and Pete Ricketts Says China Is "Not Going to Be Allowed to Take Taiwan by Force"
September 22, 2026
Xi Jinping arrives in Washington on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, for the first Chinese state visit to the United States in eleven years, with formal talks on Thursday. Reuters reported on September 22 that Xi is expected to press President Trump to halt arms sales to Taiwan under the 1982 US–China joint communiqué, in which Washington said it intended to gradually reduce such sales — a commitment Ronald Reagan conditioned in an accompanying memo "absolutely upon the continued commitment of China to the peaceful solution" of its differences with Taipei. The immediate stake is a $14 billion arms package for Taiwan that Congress approved in January and that Trump has never formally notified. It covers F-16 upgrades, ground-based air defenses, anti-ship missiles, anti-drone systems and surveillance infrastructure. Trump put the package "in abeyance" after his own May visit to Beijing, telling Fox News it was "a very good negotiating chip for us," and Taipei Times reported on September 21 that there is a strong possibility he extends the delay to the end of the year. Beijing had already signaled it would cancel the summit outright if the sale were approved beforehand; Congress did not act, and a White House official said only that Trump would make a determination "in a fairly short time." Republicans who work on China policy have spent the week publicly warning Trump against trading Taiwan for a deal. House Select Committee on the CCP Chairman John Moolenaar said Chinese objections to US arms sales and security cooperation with Asian allies should be "rejected out of hand," calling China the United States' "foremost foreign adversary and greatest external threat." Sen. Pete Ricketts, who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee on East Asia, said the message to Beijing has to be that "they're not going to be allowed to take Taiwan by force." Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, the Select Committee's ranking Democrat, had warned in May that consulting Beijing on Taiwan arms at all was "a troubling break" from four decades of bipartisan practice.
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25 Statements
“There's no change, no change in the Taiwan policy here. … He's fully committed to the One China policy. … We're not changing the language. We're not changing our position there.
“This is not about Taiwan in specific, but when we sell something, that means we don't have it anymore. We can get it in the future, but we don't have it now. … [A]nytime we do any sales, not to Taiwan, to anybody, it is always balanced against what are our own needs in different parts of the world, and whether we can afford to sell something because we may need it for ourselves. … The relationship between the United States and China will define the 21st century. The idea that we would not interact with them at the highest level is irresponsible. It's outrageous. We have to.
“We are concerned by President Trump's description of Taiwan as 'a very good negotiating chip' in engagements with Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party. … It is difficult to imagine how the United States might credibly project influence deterrence in the Indo-Pacific if the price of keeping up diplomatic appearances is denying our partners key deterrent capabilities. [Letter from Sens. McConnell, Cornyn, Murkowski and Tillis to Secretary of State Rubio and Defense Secretary Hegseth urging release of $300 million in foreign military financing, $1 billion in unobligated Pentagon funds and the $14 billion arms sales package.]
“[Letter to President Trump with Sen. Thom Tillis:] U.S. arms sales to Taiwan should never be subject to negotiation with China—especially not at a time when Chinese aggression against Taiwan has evolved from aircraft incursions into a persistent, multidomain campaign that looks more like preparation for war. … On the eve of President Xi's visit to Washington, this is why we urge you to immediately approve this arms sale package for Taiwan.
“We are concerned by President Trump's description of Taiwan as 'a very good negotiating chip' in engagements with Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party. … It is difficult to imagine how the United States might credibly project influence deterrence in the Indo-Pacific if the price of keeping up diplomatic appearances is denying our partners key deterrent capabilities. [Letter from Sens. McConnell, Cornyn, Murkowski and Tillis to Secretary of State Rubio and Defense Secretary Hegseth urging release of $300 million in foreign military financing, $1 billion in unobligated Pentagon funds and the $14 billion arms sales package.]
“What China is doing in Iran should be stopped. The president should not be feting and praising Xi. He should be telling him, 'Knock it off!'
“We are concerned by President Trump's description of Taiwan as 'a very good negotiating chip' in engagements with Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party. … It is difficult to imagine how the United States might credibly project influence deterrence in the Indo-Pacific if the price of keeping up diplomatic appearances is denying our partners key deterrent capabilities. [Letter from Sens. McConnell, Cornyn, Murkowski and Tillis to Secretary of State Rubio and Defense Secretary Hegseth urging release of $300 million in foreign military financing, $1 billion in unobligated Pentagon funds and the $14 billion arms sales package.]
“When President Trump sits across President Xi at the White House, he should use his leverage to do three things. … If we want to bring this war to an end, we need to cut off the outside support that allows Iran to keep fighting and that starts with China. … China is the number one purchaser of Russian oil and gas, so they are the top funder of the war in Ukraine, as well as being one of the top funders of the war in Iran.
“We are concerned by President Trump's description of Taiwan as 'a very good negotiating chip' in engagements with Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party. … It is difficult to imagine how the United States might credibly project influence deterrence in the Indo-Pacific if the price of keeping up diplomatic appearances is denying our partners key deterrent capabilities. [Letter from Sens. McConnell, Cornyn, Murkowski and Tillis to Secretary of State Rubio and Defense Secretary Hegseth urging release of $300 million in foreign military financing, $1 billion in unobligated Pentagon funds and the $14 billion arms sales package.]
“[Bipartisan House letter to Trump, led by Kim and signed by Bera, Radewagen, Amo, Moylan, McCaul and Mackenzie:] Maintaining America's decades-long policy on Taiwan – guided by the Taiwan Relations Act, the three U.S.-China Joint Communiqués, and the Six Assurances – by increasing Taiwan's self-defense capabilities, including through additional arms sales, is essential to U.S. security. … We urge you to make clear that the U.S. will not consult with the PRC on arms sales to Taiwan consistent with the U.S. One-China policy.
“President Trump must make clear that the United States will not compromise its commitments to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific for the sake of reaching a broader deal with Beijing. That means standing firm on Taiwan.
“Everyone's entitled to their own opinions, but unfortunately that opinion is wrong. The president is doing what is best for our national interests here. [Responding to Sen. Roger Wicker's criticism of the Xi state visit.]
“We need to continue just to again let them know that they’re not going to be allowed to take Taiwan by force.
“The Chinese military continues its pressure campaign against our vital democratic partner Taiwan as President Trump has retreated from longstanding security commitments. … As Americans face rising prices for gas, food, housing, and more, President Trump is rolling out the red carpet for President Xi and hosting closed-door dinners so his billionaire friends can strike deals that threaten American jobs and national security. … He must stand with Taiwan and not let China veto American support for Taiwan's defense. … We can't let President Xi leave stronger than when he arrived. That is not diplomacy, it's weakness. [Joint statement by Sens. Coons, Schumer, Murray, Reed, Shaheen, Warner, Warren and Andy Kim.]
“[President Trump] should keep in mind that his guest is a brutal, unelected and oppressive dictator who seeks to dominate his neighbors and whose massive military arsenal is aimed directly [at the United States]. … [I] would have suggested the president not invite [Xi] to Washington for such a lavish welcome here in the United States of America. [Wicker suggested Trump use the state dinner to ask Xi about] the purposes of China's massive military buildup, or about China's clear support for Iran.
“The Chinese military continues its pressure campaign against our vital democratic partner Taiwan as President Trump has retreated from longstanding security commitments. … As Americans face rising prices for gas, food, housing, and more, President Trump is rolling out the red carpet for President Xi and hosting closed-door dinners so his billionaire friends can strike deals that threaten American jobs and national security. … He must stand with Taiwan and not let China veto American support for Taiwan's defense. … We can't let President Xi leave stronger than when he arrived. That is not diplomacy, it's weakness. [Joint statement by Sens. Coons, Schumer, Murray, Reed, Shaheen, Warner, Warren and Andy Kim.]
“The Chinese military continues its pressure campaign against our vital democratic partner Taiwan as President Trump has retreated from longstanding security commitments. … As Americans face rising prices for gas, food, housing, and more, President Trump is rolling out the red carpet for President Xi and hosting closed-door dinners so his billionaire friends can strike deals that threaten American jobs and national security. … He must stand with Taiwan and not let China veto American support for Taiwan's defense. … We can't let President Xi leave stronger than when he arrived. That is not diplomacy, it's weakness. [Joint statement by Sens. Coons, Schumer, Murray, Reed, Shaheen, Warner, Warren and Andy Kim.]
“President Trump is fundamentally unable to manage the United States' relationship with the People's Republic of China. … A successful bilateral relationship doesn't look like chaotic tariffs, leaving American farmers devastated, throwing our allies under the bus to cozy up to dictators.
“The Chinese military continues its pressure campaign against our vital democratic partner Taiwan as President Trump has retreated from longstanding security commitments. … As Americans face rising prices for gas, food, housing, and more, President Trump is rolling out the red carpet for President Xi and hosting closed-door dinners so his billionaire friends can strike deals that threaten American jobs and national security. … He must stand with Taiwan and not let China veto American support for Taiwan's defense. … We can't let President Xi leave stronger than when he arrived. That is not diplomacy, it's weakness. [Joint statement by Sens. Coons, Schumer, Murray, Reed, Shaheen, Warner, Warren and Andy Kim.]
“The Chinese military continues its pressure campaign against our vital democratic partner Taiwan as President Trump has retreated from longstanding security commitments. … As Americans face rising prices for gas, food, housing, and more, President Trump is rolling out the red carpet for President Xi and hosting closed-door dinners so his billionaire friends can strike deals that threaten American jobs and national security. … He must stand with Taiwan and not let China veto American support for Taiwan's defense. … We can't let President Xi leave stronger than when he arrived. That is not diplomacy, it's weakness. [Joint statement by Sens. Coons, Schumer, Murray, Reed, Shaheen, Warner, Warren and Andy Kim.]
“The Chinese military continues its pressure campaign against our vital democratic partner Taiwan as President Trump has retreated from longstanding security commitments. … As Americans face rising prices for gas, food, housing, and more, President Trump is rolling out the red carpet for President Xi and hosting closed-door dinners so his billionaire friends can strike deals that threaten American jobs and national security. … He must stand with Taiwan and not let China veto American support for Taiwan's defense. … We can't let President Xi leave stronger than when he arrived. That is not diplomacy, it's weakness. [Joint statement by Sens. Coons, Schumer, Murray, Reed, Shaheen, Warner, Warren and Andy Kim.]
“The Chinese military continues its pressure campaign against our vital democratic partner Taiwan as President Trump has retreated from longstanding security commitments. … As Americans face rising prices for gas, food, housing, and more, President Trump is rolling out the red carpet for President Xi and hosting closed-door dinners so his billionaire friends can strike deals that threaten American jobs and national security. … He must stand with Taiwan and not let China veto American support for Taiwan's defense. … We can't let President Xi leave stronger than when he arrived. That is not diplomacy, it's weakness. [Joint statement by Sens. Coons, Schumer, Murray, Reed, Shaheen, Warner, Warren and Andy Kim.]
“The Chinese military continues its pressure campaign against our vital democratic partner Taiwan as President Trump has retreated from longstanding security commitments. … As Americans face rising prices for gas, food, housing, and more, President Trump is rolling out the red carpet for President Xi and hosting closed-door dinners so his billionaire friends can strike deals that threaten American jobs and national security. … He must stand with Taiwan and not let China veto American support for Taiwan's defense. … We can't let President Xi leave stronger than when he arrived. That is not diplomacy, it's weakness. [Joint statement by Sens. Coons, Schumer, Murray, Reed, Shaheen, Warner, Warren and Andy Kim.]
“[Chinese objections to US arms sales to Taiwan and to US security cooperation with allies in Asia should be] rejected out of hand. [Moolenaar, urging Trump to take a tough line at the summit and to tighten controls on Chinese access to American AI and allied semiconductor manufacturing technology, said China remained the United States’] foremost foreign adversary and greatest external threat.
Background (3)— earlier statements that set the stage▸
“[Trump, asked about the $14 billion Taiwan arms package he was holding] in abeyance [after his May visit to Beijing, said] it’s a very good negotiating chip for us. [On whether Xi had raised Taiwan arms sales with him:] He talked about that to me, obviously. So what am I going to do, say "I don’t want to talk to you about it because I have an agreement that was signed in 1982?"
“For more than four decades, presidents of both parties have upheld a clear bipartisan principle: the United States does not consult Beijing on arms sales to Taiwan. President Trump said he discussed Taiwan arms sales "in great detail" with President Xi, marking a troubling break from that longstanding bipartisan framework and risking the deterrence and stability it has helped preserve in the Taiwan Strait. That is precisely why I introduced the bipartisan Six Assurances to Taiwan Act, which would codify our long-standing policy that decisions regarding Taiwan’s security should not be shaped through consultation with the Chinese government. At a moment of growing aggression and coercion from the Chinese Communist Party, America must project clarity and resolve, stand firmly with democratic partners, and negotiate from a position of strength. Taiwan’s security should never become a bargaining chip in negotiations with Beijing.
“We are not going to tolerate a change in the status of Taiwan by force. … That’s the best thing we can do for the Taiwanese. [Ricketts, speaking to reporters after a Hudson Institute event on competition with China, noted that Trump had approved an $11 billion arms package for Taiwan in December 2025 — the largest to date — and said Taiwan should keep strengthening its own deterrence, including through higher defense spending and reserve reform.]