US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Sunday tried to clarify President Donald Trump’s recent threat to block arms sales to Taiwan, dismissing suggestions of a rift in US support for the island.
In an interview with ABC’s “This Week,” Greer said there was “no change” in U.S. policy on Taiwan, apparently contradicting himself.Trump’s comments last weekto refrain from approving a $14 billion arms deal for the island, which China considers part of its territory.
“The president is very focused on making sure nothing happens there,” Greer said. “That’s why, when he spoke to the media afterwards, he said, ‘I didn’t make a promise to President Xi about Taiwan’ and the president will put his advice on the sale and when and if that happens.”
The Trump administration in December approved a record $11 billion package for Taiwan. But Trump last week said he was discussing how to handle another major arms sale to Taiwan, following a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. In an interview with Fox News’ Brett Baier, the president said the decision would depend on China, which would be a major change in American foreign policy.
“I haven’t approved it yet. We’ll see what happens,” Trump said. I might do it, I might not. I hold that calmly, and it depends on China. It’s a very good form of communication for us, to be honest. It’s a lot of weapons.”
But Trump’s discussion of sales with Xi could be a clear violation of the lawSixth Assurancea series of promises made by the administration of President Ronald Reagan that the United States would not consult with Beijing on the sale of arms to the island.
“What am I going to do, say I don’t want to talk to you about it because I have an agreement that was signed in 1982?” Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Friday. “We discussed the whole thing and the hand sale in great detail.” He added that he would make a decision “in the next short period of time.”
Trump’s comments suggest another possible violation — this time in 1979Taiwan Relations Law.
“The truth is: It’s very important for the United States and China to have a strong relationship,” Greer said Sunday. “These are two important economies. The issue of arms sales to Taiwan is something that the Chinese always raise. So, the president is thinking about how to deal with that.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson told “Fox News Sunday” that the U.S. military and every president “have been following this very closely,” and that Congress remains committed to supporting Taiwan’s independence.
“We’re interested in that, as are all freedom-loving people around the world,” Johnson said. “China can’t just walk over and take land, and we’re going to stand firm and be determined about that — I know Congress will.”
Phelim Kine contributed to this report.
