May 15, 2026, 2:17 p.mMay 15, 2026, 2:17 p.m
In the dispute with China over further US arms sales to the island of Taiwan, which Beijing claims, US President Donald Trump says he has not yet made a decision.
Donald Trump probably wants to make a decision soon.Image: keystone
“I will make a decision in the near future,” said Trump on board Air Force One on his return flight to the USA.
However, he first had to speak to “the person” who is currently “running Taiwan,” said Trump, without naming a name. Taiwan’s current president is Lai Ching-te.
China sees the arms sales as a problem because it claims Taiwan as its own, even though the island republic has a government independent of Beijing. The US supports Taiwan’s efforts to modernize its armed forces and strengthen defense capabilities.
The possible arms sale would be worth 14 billion US dollars (the equivalent of around 12 billion euros). The US Congress had already approved it in January 2025. According to senators, Parliament has not yet been informed a few days ago that the sales to the island republic had been approved by the government in Washington. (sda/dpa)