• Taiwan fears it may become a bargaining chip in US-China negotiations.
• Trump's upcoming summit with Xi centers on arms sales, a point of contention.
• China urges the US to halt arms sales and respect its claims over Taiwan.
• The Taiwan issue could complicate US-China relations significantly.
• Opposition parties in Taiwan voice concern over national security risks.

As the upcoming summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping approaches, Taiwan is increasingly anxious that discussions on US arms sales will place the island at the center of negotiations, effectively using it as leverage in broader Sino-American talks. Trump is expected to address issues of military support for Taiwan during his three-day visit to Beijing, with Taiwan's officials closely monitoring the situation, expressing concern over potential shifts in US policy towards the island, especially regarding Trump’s "transactional" diplomacy approach. This vigilance comes as Taiwanese foreign ministry spokesman Hsiao Kuang-wei emphasized the necessity of safeguarding Taiwan's interests according to scmp.

China has voiced strong opposition to US arms sales, with officials maintaining that such actions violate US commitments regarding Taiwan. "We firmly oppose the United States engaging in any form of military ties with China's Taiwan region," stated Zhang Han, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office, further urging that Taiwan be treated as an internal matter for China. This perspective underscores Beijing's position that military ties between the US and Taiwan threaten China’s core interests. Additionally, analysts suggest that the reduced Taiwanese defense budget could be leveraged by China to argue against US military support according to channelnewsasia and aljazeera.

During the summit, Xi is expected to press Trump on issues related to Taiwan and tariffs, aiming to secure concessions. Analysts believe Xi will try to convince Trump to reconsider military sales to Taiwan, which could alter the longstanding practice of not consulting Beijing on such decisions. This complex dynamic is animated by the fear that Trump’s remarks may undermine Taiwan's defense assurance and lead to wider implications regarding US-China relations according to aljazeera and lemonde.

Furthermore, Taiwanese lawmakers from opposition parties have expressed deep concern that US arms sales could be compromised during negotiations, highlighting a sentiment that Taiwan must not be treated as a bargaining chip. The Kuomintang (KMT) party has called for a security risk assessment ahead of the summit, citing Trump’s comments as a new national security uncertainty for Taiwan. Opposition voices emphasize the need for vigilance in the face of major power negotiations according to scmp and channelnewsasia.

The situation becomes increasingly delicate as both Trump and Xi prepare for discussions that will test longstanding commitments and the stability of the Taiwan Strait. Analysts emphasize that while Trump may present a flexible stance on Taiwan, the fundamental US policy regarding support for the island is unlikely to shift significantly, adhering firmly to established diplomatic principles. Both leaders' approaches during this summit will be crucial in shaping the future of Taiwan's defense and US-China relations according to lemonde and aljazeera.