US President Donald Trump has sparked concern in Taiwan after suggesting that future American arms sales to the island could be used as a bargaining tool in negotiations with China. In an interview with Fox News following his summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, Trump indicated that a proposed $14 billion weapons package for Taiwan may not automatically move forward. “I’m holding that in abeyance and it depends on China,” Trump said when asked about approving the arms deal. “It’s a very good negotiating chip for us, frankly. It’s a lot of weapons,” he added. The remarks have raised anxiety in Taiwan, where officials and analysts fear the island’s security could become part of broader US-China negotiations. Why Taiwan Matters China considers Taiwan a breakaway province and has repeatedly stated that reunification with the mainland is inevitable — by force if necessary. Taiwan, however, operates as a self-governing democracy with: Its own government Military Currency Elections Independent institutions Beijing opposes any move toward formal Taiwanese independence and views foreign military support for Taipei as interference in its internal affairs. US Legally Supports Taiwan’s Defence Although Washington officially recognises Beijing under the “One China Policy,” US law requires support for Taiwan’s ability to defend itself. The United States remains Taiwan’s largest arms supplier. Trump and Congress had already approved a separate $11 billion arms package for Taiwan in December, a move that prompted China to conduct military drills around the island. Analysts Warn Of ‘Nightmare Scenario’ Experts say linking Taiwan arms sales to negotiations with China could fuel fears that Taiwan may become leverage in broader trade or geopolitical deals. One analyst described the possibility as Taiwan being “on the menu” rather than at the negotiating table. Trump did not specify what concessions he might seek from Beijing in exchange for delaying or limiting weapons sales, but the US president has pushed China to increase purchases of American goods and cooperate on other foreign policy issues. Trump Also Presses Taiwan On Chips Trump additionally renewed pressure on Taiwan’s semiconductor industry, saying he would like major chip manufacturers to shift production to the United States. Taiwan is home to the world’s most advanced semiconductor production and dominates global chip manufacturing through companies including TSMC. Trump said moving production to America would be “the greatest thing you can do.” Taiwan’s government has already pledged major investments in US semiconductor production facilities. Taiwan Responds Carefully Taiwan’s presidential office sought to ease tensions after Trump’s comments, stressing that US policy toward Taiwan remained unchanged. Officials reiterated that Taiwan — officially called the Republic of China — is a sovereign democratic entity and expressed gratitude for continued American support. Trump later said he opposed changes to the current status quo between China and Taiwan but criticised leaders in Taipei who he suggested were pushing too strongly toward independence. “They’re going independent because they want to get into a war,” Trump said, adding that he was not looking for another conflict far from the United States. The comments have intensified debate over whether Trump’s approach toward Taiwan reflects negotiation tactics or signals a broader shift in US policy.