Trump says hasn’t determined whether to move forward on major arms package for Taiwan

U.S. President Donald Trump says he’s not yet made a determination on whether a major U.S. sale of arms to Taiwan can move forward, following his three-day visit to China.

Speaking to reporters as he flew back on Air Force One on Friday (May 15, 2026), Mr. Trump said he’d not decided on the sale, but added, “I will make a determination.”

Mr. Trump’s Republican administration has authorised the sale but it has yet to move forward. China opposes the deal and has suggested that Washington’s relationship with the self-governing island is the key factor in China-U.S. relations.

Mr. Trump said Mr. Xi told him that he was opposed to Taiwan’s independence. “I heard him out,” Mr. Trump said. “I didn’t make a comment.”