Coverage dated May 12, 2026 to May 17, 2026

Taiwan's President Defends US Arms Purchases that Trump Called 'Bargaining Chip'

Headline from Military.com, on the newest of 3 developments

Taiwan’s president stressed that arms purchases from the United States are “the most important deterrent” of regional conflict and instability.

Military.com's own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.

Developments in this update

3 dated developments, oldest first, newest marked. Each is named by one outlet's own headline; open its reports to see every outlet that covered it.

May 13, 2026
Trump-XI summit: US president says he will discuss arms sales to Taiwan – breaking decades of US policy
Headline from The Conversation US ·
May 15, 2026
Trump undecided on Taiwan arms sales
Headline from Arkansas Democrat-Gazette ·
May 17, 2026Newest
Taiwan's President Defends US Arms Purchases that Trump Called 'Bargaining Chip'
Headline from Military.com ·

Read the reports

Reports & sources

22 articles, oldest first.

CNN
Taiwan anxiously eyes Trump’s summit in China, with $14 billion in US arms sales up in the air (opens CNN)
Published May 12, 2026
CNN's feed description
As President Donald Trump meets with Chinese leader Xi Jinping this week, Taiwan will be nervously monitoring from afar to ascertain whether its political status and critical arms purchases come up in discussions between the two leaders.
Al Jazeera
China’s Xi expected to press Trump on Taiwan, tariffs during summit (opens Al Jazeera)
Published May 12, 2026
Al Jazeera's feed description
Chinese President Xi Jinping likely to seek concessions on arms sales to Taiwan, analysts say.
The Conversation US
Trump-XI summit: US president says he will discuss arms sales to Taiwan – breaking decades of US policy (opens The Conversation US)
Published May 12, 2026
The Conversation US's feed description
US policy towards Taiwan has always been complex and nuanced. All that may now change.
The Diplomat
After Trump-Xi Summit, Taiwan Breathes a Sigh of Relief (opens The Diplomat)
Published May 14, 2026
The Diplomat's feed description
There was no “grand bargain” on Taiwan, but Taipei is still waiting for Trump to approve the latest arms package.
Al Jazeera
Trump departs China touting deals, but little clarity on Iran or Taiwan (opens Al Jazeera)
Published May 14, 2026
Al Jazeera's feed description
Trump tells reporters he is still deciding fate of new Taiwan weapons package, says not “asking for any favors” on Iran.
New York Post
Trump says he’ll decide on Taiwan arms sale soon, wants China to ‘cool down’ rhetoric toward island (opens New York Post)
Published May 14, 2026
New York Post's feed description
President Trump said Friday after two days of talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping that he had not decided whether to move forward with a $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan -- and that he wanted both Beijing and Taipei to "cool down" their rhetoric.
Military.com
Trump Weighs Taiwan Arms Package After Summit Aimed at Steadying US-China Ties (opens Military.com)
Published May 14, 2026
Military.com's feed description
Trump said Xi also reiterated China's strong opposition to Taiwan’s independence.
Washington Examiner
Trump leaves China without making a 'determination' on Taiwan arms sale (opens Washington Examiner)
Published May 14, 2026
Washington Examiner's feed description
President Trump says he hasn't decided about the delayed U.S. arms sale to Taiwan, following his trip to China to meet with President Xi.
The Columbian
Trump weighs Taiwan arms package after summit aimed at steadying U.S.-China ties (opens The Columbian)
Published May 14, 2026
The Columbian's feed description
BEIJING — U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that he has not made a decision on whether to move forward with a major arms package for Taiwan after hearing concerns about it from Chinese President
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Trump undecided on Taiwan arms sales (opens Arkansas Democrat-Gazette)
Published May 15, 2026
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's feed description
BEIJING -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that he has not made a decision on whether to move forward with a major arms package for Taiwan after hearing concerns about it from Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Breitbart News
Trump: Approval of Taiwan Arm Sales 'Depends on China', Both Sides Should 'Cool Down', Taiwan Wants to Get Into War for Independence (opens Breitbart News)
Published May 15, 2026
Breitbart News's feed description
During an interview aired on Friday's broadcast of the Fox News Channel's "Special Report," President Donald Trump said that he wants the status quo with | Clips
Seattle Times
Trump’s description of Taiwan as a ‘good negotiating chip’ with China raises anxieties (opens Seattle Times)
Published May 15, 2026
Seattle Times's feed description
U.S. President Donald Trump has described arms sales to Taiwan as a "very good negotiating chip" in dealings with China.
Deutsche Welle
Taiwan urges Trump to advance arms deal after China summit (opens Deutsche Welle)
Published May 15, 2026
Philadelphia Inquirer
Taiwan’s president defends U.S. arms purchases that Trump called ‘bargaining chip’ (opens Philadelphia Inquirer)
Published May 16, 2026
Philadelphia Inquirer's feed description
He says arms sales by the United States are crucial for regional stability.
Fortune
Taiwan’s president says the U.S. arms sales that Trump called a bargaining chip with China are 'the most important deterrent' of regional conflict (opens Fortune)
Published May 16, 2026
Fortune's feed description
Trump approved in December a record-breaking $11 billion arms package to Taiwan including missiles, drones, artillery systems and military software.
Los Angeles Times
Taiwan’s president defends U.S. arms purchases that Trump called bargaining chip (opens Los Angeles Times)
Published May 16, 2026
Los Angeles Times's feed description
Taiwan’s president says arms purchases from the United States are crucial for regional stability, after President Trump questioned continued support for the island following his visit to China.
Washington Examiner
Taiwan's US ambassador confident arms sale will go through despite Trump delay (opens Washington Examiner)
Published May 16, 2026
Washington Examiner's feed description
President Donald Trump brought a renewed focus on U.S.-Taiwan policy this past week as he flew to Beijing to visit Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Military.com
Taiwan's President Defends US Arms Purchases that Trump Called 'Bargaining Chip' (opens Military.com)
Published May 17, 2026
Military.com's feed description
Taiwan’s president stressed that arms purchases from the United States are “the most important deterrent” of regional conflict and instability.
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Taiwan president defends US arms sales (opens Arkansas Democrat-Gazette)
Published May 17, 2026
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's feed description
TAIPEI, Taiwan -- Taiwan's president on Sunday stressed that arms purchases from the United States are "the most important deterrent" of regional conflict and instability after President Donald Trump called into question continued U.S. support of Taiwan after his visit to China.
The Columbian
Taiwan’s president says arms purchases from U.S. are vital (opens The Columbian)
Published May 17, 2026
The Columbian's feed description
TAIPEI, Taiwan — Taiwan’s president on Sunday stressed that arms purchases from the United States are “the most important deterrent” of regional conflict and instability, after President Donald Trump

Identical headlines usually mean shared wire copy. They are counted as separate articles but are not independent confirmation.