Trump’s Stance on Taiwan Unchanged Despite Slow Arms Sale

Supporters await the arrival of then-Taiwanese Vice President Lai Ching-te at the Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City Hotel in Universal City, California, on Jan. 25, 2022. Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images

Commentary

Since the end of the U.S.–China summit, which ran from May 13–15, commentators have speculated that President Donald Trump was preparing to give up Taiwan in order to appease the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Apart from speculation, the main evidence cited for this claim appears to be a delayed arms sale, confirmation that Chinese leader Xi Jinping warned Trump about Taiwan, and Trump’s warning that Taiwan should not declare independence.