Trump pauses $400m Taiwan arms aid amid China trade talks: Report

US President Donald Trump has reportedly put on hold $400 million in military aid to Taiwan, sparking fears he may be using American support for the island as leverage in talks with China.

According to the Washington Post, the pause — which could still be reversed — covered orders for lethal munitions and drones. A White House official told the paper the decision was “not yet final.”

The report came just before Trump’s phone call with China’s Xi Jinping on Friday. Trump said the two leaders made “productive” progress on trade, fentanyl, and TikTok, and agreed to meet in Korea in October, with Trump visiting China next year.

Analysts say the pause marks a sharp shift from Washington’s traditional approach to Taipei, which faces a constant threat from Beijing. “Trump does not support sending weapons without payment, a preference also on display with Ukraine,” the Post noted.

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Taiwan’s president Lai Ching-te responded Saturday: “To avoid war and defend peace we must build defence capabilities and societal resilience through continued preparedness.”

During Trump’s first term, arms sales to Taiwan topped $10 billion, but in his second term he has openly questioned the value of U.S. backing and pushed Taipei to pay more. The news of the pause unsettled Taiwan’s defence expo this week, though officials in Taipei stressed Washington “has long supported Taiwan in strengthening its defence capabilities.”

William Yang of Crisis Group said Trump is likely putting Taiwan “on the back burner” while focusing on Beijing, warning China could “exploit this gap.”