Trump weighs Taiwan arms after Xi summit as Hormuz pledge falls short on Iran

Friday, May 15, 2026Developing

Politics Desk

What we know

U.S. President Donald Trump wrapped a two-day Beijing summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday and departed for Washington saying the relationship had stabilized, while confirming he has not decided whether to advance a major Taiwan arms package after hearing Xi's objections, AP and CNN reported.

Both sides said they agreed the Strait of Hormuz must remain open and that Iran should not have a nuclear weapon — positions Beijing had already voiced — but Trump left without a clear Chinese commitment to press Tehran on ending the war. Xi on Thursday warned that mishandling Taiwan could produce "clashes and even conflicts," Chinese readouts said; Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that the leaders discussed Taiwan arms sales "in great detail" and that "the last thing we need right now is a war that's 9,500 miles away."

What's confirmed

AP: Trump said he has not decided on moving forward with Taiwan arms packages after Xi raised concerns; both leaders framed the visit as progress on stability despite Iran and Taiwan gaps (AP).
CNN: Trump departed Beijing Friday short on concrete deliverables but with warmer optics and a White House readout that Hormuz must stay open and Iran must not get a nuclear weapon (CNN).
Al Jazeera: Summit failed to yield a tangible Iran-war breakthrough despite weeks of U.S. pressure on Beijing (AJ).
RFE/RL: Leaders struck a stabilizing tone shaped by the Iran conflict; Chinese Foreign Ministry on Friday backed preserving a fragile cease-fire around Iran and reopening maritime routes (RFE/RL).
Fox News (tip): Trump told Hannity that Xi offered to help end the war and pledged not to send Iran military equipment — claims not independently confirmed as new Beijing policy (Fox tip).

What's still developing

Whether Trump notifies Congress on pending Taiwan arms sales or holds them as leverage.
Any concrete Chinese follow-through on Hormuz or Iranian oil purchases beyond prior statements.
How the White House sequences Iran strike-or-diplomacy choices after the China trip.

Sources

AP — Trump weighs Taiwan arms package after summit aimed at steadying US-China ties link
CNN — Trump leaves China short on deliverables but with signs of a stabilized relationship link
Al Jazeera — How Xi-Trump summit failed to yield Iran war breakthrough link
RFE/RL — Trump, Xi strike stabilizing tone at Beijing summit shaped by Iran conflict link