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PoliticsActive · 14h

McConnell leads GOP senators demanding Trump release $1.3B Taiwan military aid

Four Republicans urge the administration to unfreeze stalled weapons packages as Trump prepares to meet Xi Jinping.

newest coverage 12h agosummary written 10h ago4 pieces NewswiresMastodon

What to know

  • Four GOP senators are breaking with the Trump administration to demand $1.3 billion in stalled military aid to Taiwan be released, plus approval of a $14 billion arms package freeze.
  • The senators cited Trump's public description of Taiwan as a "negotiating chip" with China as evidence the president may use security assistance as leverage with Xi Jinping.
  • The dispute occurs days before Trump's planned meeting with Chinese leader Xi, raising concerns that Taiwan's defensive capabilities could become a bargaining point in U.S.-China negotiations.

“It is difficult to imagine how the United States might credibly project influence in the Indo-Pacific if the price of keeping up diplomatic appearances is denying our partners key deterrent capabilities.”

Sen. Mitch McConnell and other senators, Republican senators · The Washington Sun ↗

Mitch McConnellMitch McConnell Senate Republican leaderDonald TrumpDonald Trump PresidentXi JinpingXi Jinping Chinese leaderRoger WickerRoger Wicker Senate Armed Services Committee ChairMarco RubioMarco Rubio Secretary of StatePete HegsethPete Hegseth Secretary of Defense

How it unfolded 1 development · click the chart to see its coverage articles

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12 PM4 PM8 PMnow · 12:59 AM ET
  1. 1

    Details emerge on stalled Taiwan aid: $300M and $1B in frozen military financing

    The State Department has not obligated $300 million in foreign military financing for Taiwan from the fiscal 2026 budget, and the Pentagon has not obligated another $1 billion through the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative. The administration has also frozen $14 billion in arms sales to Taiwan.

    “We are concerned by President Trump's description of Taiwan as 'a very good negotiating chip' in engagements with Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party…”
    — Sen. Mitch McConnell and other senators, Republican senators · source
    1. 3 outlets McConnell leads 4 GOP senators in calling for Trump to release Taiwan arms funding

      first by The Hill, 14h ago · also Washington Times, The Washington Sun

      2 more headlines
  2. background

    McConnell and three GOP senators send letter demanding Taiwan arms funding release — Sen. Mitch McConnell, along with Sens. John Cornyn (Texas), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), and Thom Tillis (North Carolina), sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth demanding the Trump administration release $1.3 billion in military aid to Taiwan and approve a stalled $14 billion arms package.

  3. background

    Senate Armed Services Chair Wicker urges Trump to confront Xi over Taiwan coercion — In a floor speech, Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi) criticized Trump's reception for Xi Jinping and called on the president to prioritize confronting China over Taiwan security alongside trade and AI discussions. Wicker said he is "very much in favor" of moving forward with the $14 billion arms sale and formally notifying Congress.