Four US Republicans call for Trump to release Taiwan security funds
ITA•Republicans urge release of stalled Taiwan aid
US Senators Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the former Senate majority leader, John Cornyn of Texas, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Thom Tillis of North Carolina wrote to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth expressing concern about more than $15 billion in stalled national security assistance for Taiwan.
The letter cites the State Department's failure to move ahead with $300 million in foreign military financing Congress appropriated for Taiwan, the Defense Department's failure to obligate $1 billion and the administration's decision to withhold approval for a $14 billion package of foreign military sales to the island.
Trump and Xi expected to discuss Taiwan arms sales
The lawmakers said they were concerned by President Trump's description of Taiwan as "a very good negotiating chip" in engagements with Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party.
Xi is expected to press Trump to halt Taiwan arms sales altogether during his visit to Washington, sources briefed on the matter told Reuters.
Rubio says the administration must balance broader needs
Rubio, speaking to reporters in New York and asked about Taiwan arms sales, said the administration had to balance broader needs.
"I know everyone's focused on Taiwan, but I want you to focus globally for a moment. If we sell you something, we don't have it anymore. Now, we may be able to make it in the future, but we don't have it right now," he said.
China opposes Taiwan arms sales as Washington remains bound by law
China regularly describes the issue of Taiwan, which Beijing views as its own territory, as its most sensitive and important diplomatic issue, and has repeatedly called for arms sales to stop. The US is bound by law to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself.
