Taiwan vows to deepen US ties after Trump-Xi Beijing summit

Taiwan's foreign minister pledged Thursday to strengthen cooperation with the United States and allied nations after President Trump discussed pending U.S. arms sales to the island with Chinese leader Xi Jinping during a summit in Beijing.

The statement underscores Taiwan's resolve to hold its strategic footing as Trump weighs a $14 billion pending arms package and navigates a pivotal juncture in U.S.-China relations — with consequences that ripple across the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung announced Taiwan's position in a Facebook post following the Trump-Xi summit. "I want to report to everyone that my diplomatic team and I have continued to closely monitor the situation, and have maintained good communication with the United States," Lin said, according to the Korea Times.

Lin outlined Taipei's strategic vision in the same statement. "Taiwan occupies a key geostrategic position and is a responsible and trustworthy partner of the international community," he said. "Looking ahead, we will continue to deepen cooperation with the United States and like-minded countries in the Indo-Pacific."

Trump's visit to Beijing brought Taiwan's security arrangements to the forefront. The two leaders discussed U.S. arms transfers to Taiwan during the summit. An $11 billion arms package was approved in December 2025, while a separate $14 billion package still awaits Trump's approval, according to the Korea Times, which cited Reuters.

Xi warned Trump that mishandling "the countries' disagreements over Taiwan could push China-U.S. relations to a 'dangerous place,'" the Korea Times reported. Both Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have said U.S. policy toward Taiwan remains unchanged.

Lin firmly rejected any suggestion that Taiwan bears responsibility for escalating regional tensions. "The party that has truly continued to heighten regional risks is China, with its expanding military activities and authoritarian oppression in recent years," he said.

China claims Taiwan as its own territory and has long demanded Washington halt arms sales to the island. Beijing has never formally renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control, and Taiwan continues to reject Beijing's sovereignty claims.

Taiwan continues to monitor developments as Trump weighs whether to approve the pending $14 billion arms package — a decision that will be closely watched across the Indo-Pacific and by U.S. allies navigating the evolving dynamics between Washington and Beijing.