Taiwan's Arms Deal with US on Track

0:00A March 26, Taiwan's defense minister says the next arms package from the United States remains on track. Wellington Q confirmed the government received firm assurance from Washington keeping the deal moving forward. That comes even as President Trump and Xi prepare to meet in Beijing on May 14 and 15. The trip got pushed back from early April because of the Middle East conflict, and Taiwan is expected to come up in talks. Meanwhile, Chinese leader Xi recently urged Trump to handle arms sales to the island with care during a phone call. China claims Taiwan as his territory and has long pushed the U.S. to stop the shipments. Ku address concerns from reporters and parliament, noting close talks with the U.S. defense security cooperation agency on specifics like items and costs, though he shared no details. The last sale in December hit $11 billion, Taiwan's biggest ever. Taiwan's parliament is hashing out President Leiching Tay's push for $40 billion more in defense funds.

1:00It's already okay $9 billion worth of U.S. deals. With stepped up Chinese military drills around the island, the U.S. stays Taiwan's top weapon source under laws meant to help it defend itself.