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US President Donald Trump is greeted by officials before boarding Air Force One at Beijing Capital International Airport. Photo: Mark Schiefelbein/AP/dpa
Keystone
In the dispute with China over further US arms sales to the island of Taiwan, which is claimed by Beijing, US President Donald Trump says he has not yet made a decision.
"I will make a decision in the near future," said Trump on board Air Force One on his flight back to the USA.
However, he would first have to speak to "the person" who is currently "running Taiwan", said Trump, without giving a name. Taiwan's president is currently Lai Ching-te.
China sees the arms sales as a problem because it claims Taiwan for itself, although the island republic has a government that is independent of Beijing. The USA supports Taiwan's efforts to modernize its armed forces and strengthen its defence capabilities.
The potential arms sale would be worth 14 billion US dollars (the equivalent of around 12 billion euros). The US Congress had already approved it in advance in January 2025. However, according to information provided by senators a few days ago, Parliament has not yet been informed that the sales to the island republic have been approved by the government in Washington.
15.05.2026, 15:10
