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Taiwanese React as Trump-Xi Summit Puts Arms Sales and Tech on the Line

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By Hank Hsu/Irene Lin

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Reactions across Taiwan are mixed following the second face-to-face summit this year between US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Washington. On the frontline island of Kinmen, just kilometers from mainland China, residents question whether Taiwan's dominant position in global microchip manufacturing via TSMC—often called the nation's "silicon shield"—will be enough to maintain US defense backing if American strategic priorities shift. Meanwhile, in Taipei, citizens view the White House's decision to temporarily delay a US$14 billion defense arms package ahead of the summit as a diplomatic tactic to prevent Beijing from canceling the meeting. As cross-strait security and advanced technology remain central to US-China relations, Taiwanese citizens continue to weigh the risks of geopolitical entanglement.

Taiwan was a closely-watched topic of discussion between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump.

As the two leaders wrapped up their second face-to-face meeting this year, people in Taiwan have had much to say about it.

Mere kilometers away from China's southeast coast... some people on Taiwan's outlying Kinmen Islands worry that the country’s leading semiconductor industry may not be enough to keep it under supposed US protection.

RESIDENT:
"Of course I’m worried. Economically, even if you have TSMC this so-called sacred protector of the nation that makes other countries very dependent on us when other countries’ own interests are actually at stake they won’t necessarily treat Taiwan’s interests as something they need to protect. It’s unclear whether they’ll still see Taiwan’s interests as their own."

Besides partnerships in AI and advanced chips, Taiwan's military relies heavily on US arms shipments.

Just days before Trump hosted Xi and his wife at the Whitehouse, he hit pause on a record 14 billion US-dollar arms package to Taiwan... as China's Xi had warned of cancelling the meeting if Washington approved it beforehand.

But some in Taipei see Washington's move as a temporary tactic to appease its Chinese counterpart.

RESIDENT:
"As for US arms sales to Taiwan being delayed due to the Trump-Xi summit I feel it's not a huge deal. It's somewhat similar to a warning or intimidation tactic but ultimately it won't have much of a real impact."

China sees Taiwan as part of its territory... and has repeatedly meddled with its diplomatic endeavors.

Some welcome direct talks between the two most powerful countries... but feel anxious about Taiwan being treated as a pawn in geopolitics and global trade.

RESIDENT:
"Relying on either side will not serve us any good. I believe we should stick to free trade. That's the right way forward."

With US-Taiwan high tech partnerships and military backing on the line... and growing threats from China... Taiwan’s eyes will be on Washington for any apparent shifts in policy in the coming days.