US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that his pending decision on further arms sales to the island of Taiwan claimed by China was an effective means of pressuring Beijing.
He said he was leaving the arms deal, worth $14 billion and already approved by the US Congress, up in the air.
"It depends on China," Trump told broadcaster Fox News. "It's a very good negotiating chip for us frankly. It's a lot of weapons."
Trump had previously said during his return flight from Beijing to the United States that he would make a decision in the near future. He said, however, that he first had to speak to Taiwan about it. The US Congress pre-approved the latest arms deal with Taiwan in January 2025.
China rejects such arms sales because it claims Taiwan for itself even though the island republic has an independent and democratic government.
Taiwan was never part of the communist People's Republic founded in 1949. Nevertheless China wants to absorb Taiwan. Beijing has already threatened to use military force if this does not work by peaceful means. The US has long supported Taiwan's efforts to modernize its armed forces and strengthen its defence capabilities.
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