China warns US: Taiwan arms deal could jeopardise Trump’s April visit

WEB DESK: China has issued a stern warning to the United States, indicating that upcoming weapons deliveries to Taiwan could jeopardise President Donald Trump’s planned state visit to Beijing in April. The message highlights Beijing’s growing sensitivity over U.S. military support for the self-governing island, which China considers a core red line in bilateral relations.

According to Financial Times, Chinese officials privately conveyed to their American counterparts that moving forward with the proposed arms sale might compel a reconsideration of Trump’s April trip, his first major summit on Chinese soil during his current term.

The warning followed a phone call on Wednesday between President Xi Jinping and President Trump, during which Xi reportedly urged Washington to exercise “prudence” and handle the Taiwan arms issue cautiously. China’s foreign ministry described Taiwan as “the most significant and sensitive issue” in Sino-U.S. relations, reiterating Beijing’s unwavering commitment to reunification and opposition to foreign interference. While Trump described the nearly two-hour discussion as “excellent” and “thorough,” covering trade and other global topics, he did not publicly address the arms matter in his initial remarks.

The U.S. is in the final stages of approving what could be one of its largest defense packages for Taiwan, potentially worth billions of dollars. The proposed sale reportedly includes advanced Patriot missile defense systems, additional NASAMS (National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems), and at least two other platforms, following last December’s record USD11.1 billion package of munitions and equipment.

Under the Taiwan Relations Act, Washington is legally committed to providing Taipei with defensive capabilities to maintain a credible deterrent against possible coercion from Beijing. A White House spokesperson reiterated that continued U.S. support has preserved stability across the Taiwan Strait, while declining to specify details of pending notifications to Congress.

China’s ambassador in Washington has also expressed concerns directly to U.S. officials, according to sources familiar with the exchanges. Analysts note that Beijing often intensifies pressure around arms deals before high-level meetings, though the explicit threat to the state visit is unusually direct. The timing complicates matters: formal notification of the new package to U.S. lawmakers may be delayed until after the April summit to avoid escalating tensions. Meanwhile, political gridlock in Taipei has hindered Taiwan’s own defense funding plans, frustrating Washington over the island’s contributions to its self-defense. Taiwanese officials maintain that U.S. assistance is strictly defensive and essential for regional stability, reaffirming strong bilateral security cooperation.

Experts suggest China’s move is aimed at shaping the agenda for the upcoming summit, pushing for restraint on sensitive military matters while seeking to stabilise trade and other contentious issues. Some U.S. observers interpret Beijing’s warnings as tactical posturing rather than a definitive attempt to cancel the visit, given mutual interest in managing competition without direct confrontation. As preparations continue, the arms sales issue has resurfaced as a potential flashpoint, testing the delicate balance both nations are trying to maintain in one of the world’s most volatile strategic relationships. The coming weeks are expected to see intensified diplomatic efforts to ensure the summit proceeds smoothly.