For him, geopolitics is not a question of democratic values, but a tough business negotiation. Only this time, the bargaining chip on his table is her very survival.
caused strong tremors in the balances of East Asia. By freezing a mammoth $14 billion arms package to Taiwan, the US president sent a clear message: US military support for the island is conditional.
Beijing was quick to seize on the statement to damage Washington’s credibility, while concern is simmering in Taipei that the country is becoming a mere pawn in the great superpower chessboard.
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, who is a frequent target of fierce criticism from Beijing, and his Democratic Progressive Party can no longer rely on “unconditional tolerance” from the United States, China’s Global Times newspaper reported, citing a Chinese researcher.
The historical column of Vima in your inbox
Join the daily newsletter that reveals what’s happening behind the political scenes and get access to exclusive content.
“Security cannot be bought with arms programs; if you become a pawn, all you will achieve is to be pinched to the end,” Colonel Jiang Bin, a spokesman for China’s Ministry of National Defense, said on Monday, referring to Taiwan.
Pressure on Iran?
The United States came to the summit hoping to persuade China to do more to force Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Trump later said he discussed Iran with Mr. Xi, but details of their talks have not been released.
China has pressed Iran to negotiate with the United States and has called for the Strait of Hormuz to remain open. But Beijing has strong strategic reasons to avoid explicitly siding with the United States and Israel against Iran—its Middle Eastern partner—in a war it has repeatedly said should never have happened.
Even if China were willing to use its influence on Tehran, it would not want it to be seen as a clear trade-off for US concessions on the Taiwan issue, researcher Bao Chenghe said, according to the New York Times. “He tends to act like a businessman, looking at issues through a deal-making lens,” Bao said of Mr. Trump. “But connecting these two issues so closely is not really possible.”
More purchases of American products?
If Trump suspended the $14 billion package or reduced the number and sophistication of weapons, China could respond in a few ways, said Xin Chiang, director of the Center for Taiwan Studies at Fudan University. For example, China could buy more American agricultural products and Boeing airplanes, he said.
President Trump and Boeing have already said China has agreed to order 200 of the company’s jets. The Trump administration also announced Sunday that China has agreed to “buy at least $17 billion worth of U.S. agricultural products annually” for 2026, 2027 and 2028, though the amount for this year will be prorated.
Beijing’s official position is that Taiwan is an internal matter and that any continued sale of US arms to the island is unacceptable. But it can also appear pragmatic, Mr. Xin noted.
“China has never wanted to treat arms sales to Taiwan as a bargaining chip in talks with the United States,” he said. “But realistically, any issue can essentially become a bargaining chip in the course of international relations or great power competition.”
Political earthquake in Taiwan
The Opposition (Nationalist Party) is seizing the opportunity to accuse President Lai Ching-te of leading the country into a stalemate, alienating Beijing without Washington’s guarantee.
The Lai Government is trying to downplay the fact. Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry officials say US security commitments remain unwavering and that official US policy has not changed. But analysts warn: if the weapons delay is prolonged, Taiwan’s deterrent power will take a heavy blow.
