Trump says he will discuss arms sales to Taiwan with Xi
Donald Trump announced he will raise U.S. weapons sales to Taiwan during his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping later this week in Beijing.
10:39 PM
Donald Trump said he will bring up the issue of U.S. arms sales to Taiwan during his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping later this week, according to remarks made at the White House on Monday.
"I'm going to have that discussion with President Xi," Trump told reporters when asked about weapons sales. "President Xi would like us not to, and I'll have that discussion. That's one of the many things I'll be talking about."
Trump is scheduled to arrive in Beijing on Wednesday. The meeting comes as the two leaders prepare to discuss multiple bilateral issues, including matters related to Iran, according to officials.
Trump reiterated his belief that a conflict with China over Taiwan's status was unlikely in the near future. The U.S. has long maintained a policy of providing defensive weapons to Taiwan, a position that China has consistently opposed.