The Trump administration is weighing the timing of arms sales to Taiwan, with the U.S. emphasizing that maintaining stability in Sino-U.S. relations is crucial.

U.S. Trade Representative Grilley said on Sunday (May 17) during a television political commentary program that President Trump is weighing how to advance arms sales to Taiwan, while emphasizing that maintaining stability in U.S.-China relations is "crucial."

Grilley stated that as the world's two largest economies, China has long regarded U.S. arms sales to Taiwan as a highly sensitive issue. The Trump administration is currently assessing how to handle this matter. He pointed out that last year the U.S. trade deficit with China decreased by approximately 30%, and Washington continues to maintain tariffs on Chinese imports to limit such inflows, while China has expanded access for American agricultural products—“these issues are interconnected and mutually influential.”

The host then asked what the U.S. hopes to gain in return if Trump chooses to delay advancing arms sales to Taiwan. In response, Grilley said the most important goal is preserving the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. Grilley noted that Trump is “very focused” on ensuring no crisis breaks out across the strait. He concluded by stressing that the decision on whether to proceed with arms sales to Taiwan—and the timing of such actions—will ultimately be made personally by Trump.

Commentary: Today, the U.S. has linked arms sales to Taiwan with Sino-U.S. trade and cross-strait tensions. Despite knowing full well that arms sales are a deeply sensitive issue for China, it still hesitates over whether to move forward. If such sales are implemented, they will inevitably directly disrupt the currently stabilizing Sino-U.S. relationship and intensify tensions across the Taiwan Strait. If instead the U.S. opts to delay the sales, it aims to preserve the current status quo across the strait in exchange for favorable outcomes in bilateral economic and trade relations. It is evident that the U.S. consistently prioritizes its own interests, turning the Taiwan issue into a key bargaining chip in strategic competition. Ultimately, the decision will significantly influence future Sino-U.S. interactions and regional stability as a whole.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1865475118532619/

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