Trump's $14 billion bargaining chip: Taiwan arms sale looms over Xi summit

…Xi warned Trump during their previous meeting that mishandling Taiwan could have serious consequences for US-China relations. Xin Qiang, director of the Center for Taiwan Studies at Fudan University, told NYT that Taiwan was the issue most capable of causing relations between Washington and Beijing to deteriorate sharply. He said securing a continued delay in US arms sales could therefore be one of Beijing’s most important objectives. Trump, meanwhile, has treated the weapons package as leverage in negotiations with China. After his May…

…be one of Beijing’s most important objectives. Trump, meanwhile, has treated the weapons package as leverage in negotiations with China. After his May meeting with Xi in Beijing, Trump called the proposed sale a “ very good negotiating chip ” for the United States. Beijing could also have other ways of signalling its displeasure if Washington approves the sale. Xi could potentially threaten tighter restrictions on Chinese rare-earth exports or indicate…