President Xi may raise Taiwan issue at US summit — Taipei Times
US experts expect Chinese President Xi Jinping to raise the issue of Taiwan during a meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington scheduled for this week. Sales of US defensive weapons to Taiwan could be among the main topics, Taipei Times reports.
Taiwan and arms sales
Bonnie Glaser, managing director of the Indo-Pacific program at the German Marshall Fund, said Beijing may argue that arms sales to Taiwan contradict the understanding of constructive strategic stability in US-China relations and increase tensions.
Dennis Wilder, former director for China at the US National Security Council, also believes that the Chinese side will raise the Taiwan issue and seek to portray Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te as a source of tension. In his assessment, Trump is unlikely to initiate a discussion of Taiwan himself, as he considers the current status quo acceptable.
Glaser noted that if the issue is discussed, Trump should warn Xi against using force against Taiwan and support maintaining the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. According to her, Trump could also remind him that the US Taiwan Relations Act requires providing the island with defensive weapons.
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Trade, AI and Iran
Among other possible topics for the talks, experts named Iran, tariffs, rare earth metals and artificial intelligence. According to Glaser, Trump may seek to determine whether China is ready to influence Iran to return to negotiations or reduce its purchases of Iranian oil.
The sides may also discuss a proposed trade framework under which tariff reductions could apply to non-sensitive goods worth up to US$30 billion. Washington and Beijing agreed to launch a dialogue on artificial intelligence during a meeting in May. Wilder believes the countries could cooperate to reduce the risks of misuse of advanced AI technologies.
Xi Jinping is expected to arrive on Wednesday at Joint Base Andrews near Washington, where a welcoming ceremony involving Trump is planned. Bilateral talks are to take place on Thursday, and a state banquet is scheduled for the evening of the same day. This will be the Chinese leader's first visit to the White House in 11 years.
