US-China Trade: Trump Halts Taiwan Military Aid as He Races for Trade Deal with China

International News: In a major move, U.S. President Donald Trump has stopped a $400 million military aid package to Taiwan including drones and other defence equipment while he pushes for a trade deal with China. The decision comes at a time when China claims Taiwan as its own territory and tensions in the region are high. For Taiwan, American military support has been a vital lifeline against the constant threat of Chinese attack.

Trump’s 'Transactional' Foreign Policy

According to White House policy, Trump’s approach is “transactional,” which means that the U.S. wants its partners to pay for their own defense. He has also had the same expectations from other NATO countries—that they increase their defense spending and reduce dependence on American support. Taiwan, too, is trying to increase its defense capabilities and is allocating special funds to strengthen its military.

Chinese Pressure on Taiwan and U.S. Defense Relations

This situation is critical for Taiwan because China is continuously exerting military pressure. Daily incursions by Chinese warships and planes around Taiwan have made the situation even more tense. Meanwhile, Taiwan urgently needs American defense assistance so that it can protect itself from a Chinese attack. Trump’s suspension of this defense aid can be directly seen as a bargaining strategy with China, as the U.S. government is embroiled in a trade war with China.

Status of the Trade Agreement with China

One major reason for disagreement in trade relations with China is the change in soybean trade, where China has started purchasing more from Brazil rather than from the U.S. American farmers are troubled by this shift, as China used to buy nearly 25% of American soybeans. In addition to this, the strategic situation linked to Taiwan and American economic pressures are prompting Trump to attempt a deal with China.

U.S. Foreign Policy Shift

With China’s continuously increasing military activities over Taiwan and potential aggression, Trump’s decision to halt military aid to Taiwan signals a shift in U.S. foreign policy. This step could be part of Trump’s “transactional” approach, which tries to align every party according to its own advantage in trade agreements. However, this situation may affect Taiwan’s security, and it may feel alone in the face of China.