The South China Morning Post surveyed leading scholars and politicians in Taiwan following the friendly meeting between Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping. There is some concern that Trump will make a significant change in Taiwan policy as part of the strengthening ties with China.

The SCMP wrote: “Taipei has been especially concerned about a pending US$14 billion arms package, which has already been delayed as Washington works to manage its relations with Beijing.” A Taiwan scholar, James Yifan Chen, added that the arms deal is unlikely to come through until after the two probable meetings this year between Trump and Xi—the APEC meeting in Shenzhen in November and the G-20 meeting in December in Miami. SCMP adds: “US Secretary of State Marco Rubio added to the debate this week when he said the administration had to weigh arms sales against US military requirements around the world, weapons inventories and the capacity of the US defense industry.”

Opposition leader Kuomintang chairwoman Cheng Li-wun told the Post: “Strengthening defense and reducing hostility [with Beijing] are not contradictory,” adding that Taiwan should not have to choose between being “pro-US” and “pro-China.”