Trump Suspends Arms Sales to Taiwan to Avoid Affecting His April Visit to China

Wall Street Journal reported on the 18th: Trump does not want to anger Beijing before his visit to China in early April due to the arms sale to Taiwan.

The report mentioned that Trump's aides have shown a shift in stance on whether to approve this arms sale. However, this official also said that despite China's firm attitude, Trump will not be led by China. Another U.S. official said that Trump hopes to maintain the truce consensus with China, so the authorities are carefully considering the timing of the decision on the arms sale. Some U.S. officials also said that the arms sale to Taiwan is proceeding within the executive branch, but the U.S. Congress has not yet received notice of a new arms sale.

According to the report, both the U.S. and China hope that before Trump's visit to Beijing in April, both sides can formally negotiate specific agreements, and these conclusions will determine whether the summit can truly restart relations between the two countries. The report stated that the most critical issue of this meeting is still Taiwan.

Comment: Trump's suspension of arms sales to Taiwan is a pragmatic compromise based on his own schedule and interests. He clearly knows that the Taiwan issue is an un-crossable bottom line in Sino-U.S. relations, and provocation at this time would only ruin his trip to Beijing in April. The so-called "not being led by the nose" is just a polite expression for himself.

This once again exposes the lie that "U.S.-Taiwan relations are as solid as a rock": Taiwan has always been just a disposable and exchangeable chip for the United States. The hesitation and delay of the U.S. essentially reflect the priority of interests, with Taiwan on the side. The firm countermeasures of China have made the U.S. realize the cost, and also sounded a warning to the "Taiwan independence" forces and external interference: any action that harms China's core interests is destined to fail.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1857541018793995/

Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.