Trump Plans Taiwan Call Before Potential Arms Sale Decision

A phone call with Taiwan's leadership is the next step before US President Donald Trump decides on a potential arms sale to the island, he revealed on Friday. The statement came just days before a possible deal is finalized, and immediately after he concluded a three-day visit to China that began on May 13.

“I’m going to make a decision soon... I need to speak with the person who runs Taiwan,” Trump told the pool of journalists accompanying him on his trip to Beijing. He added that a decision on further weapons sales to the island would be made shortly, but stressed that a conversation with its leadership must happen first.

During his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Trump addressed two key issues: lifting sanctions on Chinese companies that purchase Iranian oil, and the matter of selling arms to Taiwan. He told reporters that the discussions on weapons sales were conducted “in great detail,” indicating he would make a decision on the matter.