Will the postponed Trump-Xi summit affect US arms sales to Taiwan?

2026.03.17 12:20 Taiwanese military personnel line up prior to the activation of a Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missile launcher during a drill in Taichung, Taiwan, on January 8, 2025. Photo: EPA-EFE A delayed summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping has raised concerns over whether the postponement could affect a reported record US arms sales package to Taiwan, as officials insist the deal remains on track. A US$14 billion arms package – possibly the largest ever for Taiwan – is ready for the American president’s approval and could be announced after his visit to Beijing, according to Reuters on Friday. The proposed sale is expected to include advanced air-defence systems such as Patriot PAC-3 missiles and the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (Nasams), as well as an additional US$6 billion in “asymmetric” capabilities. However, uncertainty has mounted after Trump said he asked Beijing to postpone the summit, originally scheduled between March 31 and April 2, by about a month because of the conflict in the Middle East. On Tuesday, Taiwan’s defence minister, Wellington Koo Li-hsiung, sought to reassure the public, saying Taipei had not received any indication of a sales delay. “The defence ministry and the United States have maintained close coordination,” Koo told reporters ahead of a legislative session. “Based on our understanding, the US internal review process is proceeding as scheduled. We have not received any information suggesting a delay.” The Taiwanese defence chief’s comments came amid broader concerns that America’s military operations against Iran were rapidly depleting ammunition stockpiles, possibly affecting its ability to sustain arms supplies to partners in the Indo-Pacific region. Koo declined to comment on American force deployments but said Taiwan would continue to closely monitor developments around the Taiwan Strait and mainland China through joint intelligence and surveillance efforts. Despite official reassurances,

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