Trump Weighs Taiwan Arms Sale

Insight & analysis on the White House and Capitol Hill.

Watch Joe and Kailey LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF.

US President Donald Trump said he made no commitment to Chinese President Xi Jinping over Taiwan, and would make a decision soon over a planned $14 billion arms deal with the island.

“On Taiwan he feels very strongly, I made no commitment either way,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Friday. The US president said he would ultimately “make a determination over the next fairly short period” about the weapons after speaking to the person “that’s running Taiwan,” without specifying who he means. 

“I may do it. I may not do it,” Trump said separately in a Fox News interview.
Trump said he and Xi “talked a lot” about the issue, and the Chinese leader “does not want to see a fight for independence, because that would be a very strong confrontation.” The US president told Fox he wants China to “cool down” on Taiwan.

Bloomberg Washington Correspondents Joe Mathieu and Kailey Leinz deliver insight and analysis on the latest headlines from the White House and Capitol Hill, including conversations with influential lawmakers and key figures in politics and policy. On this edition, Joe and Kailey speak with:

• Bloomberg Washington Correspondent Tyler Kendall.
• Republican Congressman Vince Fong of California.
• Stonecourt Capital Partner Rick Davis and Third Way Executive Vice President Jim Kessler.
• Former Fed Vice Chair Lael Brainard.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.