US senators on Tuesday urged US President Donald Trump to “stand with Taiwan” and not let China influence US support for Taiwan’s defense, ahead of his planned meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) in Washington.
“We can’t let President Xi leave stronger than when he arrived. That is not diplomacy, it’s weakness,” the senators said in a statement.
Xi is to visit the US until Friday, his first trip to New York in 11 years. They are reportedly expected to discuss arms sales to Taiwan, artificial intelligence and the conflict in Iran.
Photo: Bloomberg
Seven US senators, all Democrats, signed the statement: Senate Foreign Relations Committee ranking member Jeanne Shaheen, Senate Committee on Defense Appropriations ranking member Chris Coons, Senate Committee on Appropriations Vice Chairwoman Patty Murray, Senate Committee on Armed Services ranking member Jack Reed, Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Vice Chairman Mark Warner, Elizabeth Warren and Andy Kim.
“The People’s Republic of China presents a greater threat to American security and prosperity than ever before,” the statement said, urging Trump to end China’s access to advanced chips and manufacturing equipment, press Beijing to stop supporting Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine and confront Xi on supplying resources to Iran.
“The Chinese military continues its pressure campaign against our vital democratic partner Taiwan as President Trump has retreated from longstanding security commitments,” it said.
Separately, Ministry of National Defense deputy spokesman Chiao Fu-chun (喬福駿) yesterday said Taiwan would continue to maintain close contact with the US to promote the implementation of arms sales according to plan.
Trump in December last year approved an US$11 billion package for Taiwan, the largest ever. However, after visiting Beijing in May, he said that a second US$14 billion package was being held in abeyance.
Xi is expected to press Trump to halt sales when the two of them meet in Washington this week.
Speaking to reporters in Tainan during a media trip, Chiao said that maintaining security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region was a “common interest of democratic nations.”
“The US government and Congress have repeatedly expressed their support for Taiwan’s ability to defend itself,” he added. “We will continue to maintain close contact with the US Department of Defense and continue to promote the implementation of arms sales according to plan.”
President William Lai (賴清德) has embraced Trump’s call for US allies to spend more on their defense.
While the US is Taiwan’s most important arms supplier, Taipei has its own weapons development programs, producing platforms from submarines and fighter jets to long-range missiles.
Washington’s policy toward Taiwan remains unchanged, US Department of State Chinese-language spokesman Jakob Lengacher told Voice of America in an interview.
Washington continues to support Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations, including APEC, he said.
Lengacher reiterated that the US opposes unilateral changes to the “status quo” by either side of the Taiwan Strait and remains committed to maintaining peace and stability in the region.
Additional reporting by Reuters
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Facts Only
* Seven US senators, all Democrats, signed a statement urging President Trump to "stand with Taiwan" and prevent China from influencing US support for Taiwan’s defense.
* The senators asserted that allowing President Xi to leave stronger is not diplomacy but weakness.
* The statement warned that the People’s Republic of China presents a greater threat to American security and prosperity.
* Senators urged Trump to end China's access to advanced chips and manufacturing equipment.
* They pressed Beijing to stop supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine and confront Xi regarding resource supplies to Iran.
* The statement noted that the Chinese military continues pressure against Taiwan as President Trump has retreated from security commitments.
* Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense deputy spokesman stated Taiwan would maintain close contact with the US for arms sales implementation according to plan.
* President William Lai supported the call for US allies to increase defense spending.
* The US Department of State spokesman confirmed continued support for Taiwan in international organizations and the maintenance of regional peace and stability.
* The US opposes unilateral changes to the status quo regarding the Taiwan Strait.
Executive Summary
US senators urged President Trump to support Taiwan and prevent China from influencing US defense support for Taiwan ahead of a meeting with President Xi Jinping in Washington. The senators stated that allowing President Xi to leave stronger than when he arrived is not diplomacy but weakness. They expressed concern over China's growing threat, urging action to end China's access to advanced chips and manufacturing equipment, press Beijing to halt support for Russia's war in Ukraine, and confront China regarding resource supplies to Iran.
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense deputy spokesman stated that Taiwan would continue to maintain close contact with the US to promote arms sales as planned. While the US remains Taiwan’s most important arms supplier, Taiwan possesses its own domestic weapons development programs. The US Department of State spokesperson affirmed continued support for Taiwan's participation in international organizations and commitment to maintaining regional peace and stability, opposing unilateral changes to the status quo in the Taiwan Strait.
Full Take
The dynamic presented involves a tension between perceived geopolitical alignment and specific security interests, layered over ongoing bilateral negotiations concerning arms sales. The call from US senators reflects an attempt to leverage diplomatic channels—specifically the impending meeting with Xi Jinping—to enforce a consensus on strategic priorities regarding China’s influence. The assertion that allowing Xi to depart stronger is weakness frames the issue not as a simple negotiation over trade or defense, but as a critical test of commitment to established security frameworks.
The contrasting messages from Beijing and Taipei reveal divergent interpretations of the relationship and regional stability. While Taiwan seeks to utilize US support for its defense capabilities, there are ongoing friction points regarding arms sales, resource diplomacy (Iran/Ukraine), and the concept of maintaining the status quo. The reference to the China Coast Guard’s maritime activities and asset transfers suggests a persistent physical assertion of presence that exists outside formal diplomatic consensus, complicating any framework built solely on stated US policy.
The broader pattern indicates an effort by external actors (US) to solidify perceived security commitments while simultaneously managing internal geopolitical competition. The request for Taiwan's inclusion in international bodies alongside recognition and camaraderie points toward a deeper systemic desire to embed Taiwan's self-determination within a wider, accepted global governance structure, suggesting that the immediate diplomatic maneuvering is symptomatic of a long-term struggle over sovereignty versus external imposition.
Sentinel — Human
The text exhibits characteristics of compiled journalistic reporting covering several distinct topics, making it likely human-edited or heavily sourced, despite some formal phrasing.