United States Secretary of State: "U.S.-China Leader Dialogue Is Essential" ... "Arms Sales to Taiwan Must Be Balanced"

[Financial News] United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that arms sales by the United States to Taiwan should take into account the country's own demand and supply capacity, while emphasizing the need for dialogue between the leaders of the United States and China.
At a briefing at United Nations Headquarters in New York on the 23rd (local time), Rubio said, "The idea that (the United States and China) should not engage at the highest level is irresponsible and absurd," adding, "Dialogue and meetings at the leaders' level are what responsible national governance entails."
He added that Donald Trump and Xi Jinping would have opportunities to meet at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in China in November, following their White House meeting on the 24th, as well as at the Group of Twenty (G20) summit in the United States in December.
Regarding arms sales to Taiwan, he said the United States' demand and ability to supply must be considered together. Rubio stated, "When we make (arms) sales, there has to be a balance between the United States' needs in other parts of the world and whether the United States has the capacity to make those sales," adding, "Because the United States may need (those weapons) itself."
This was interpreted as meaning that the scale or timing of arms sales to Taiwan could be adjusted if U.S. demand for weapons increases due to the war with Iran or other factors. Since Trump's visit to China in May, the United States has effectively suspended sales of U.S.-made weapons to Taiwan.
Xi is expected to demand that Trump halt arms sales to Taiwan during their summit on the 24th. Foreign media have also reported that the Trump administration is considering delaying decisions and announcements on arms sales to Taiwan until the end of the year to avoid provoking China.
Rubio reiterated the justification for the war with Iran, saying that Iran must be prevented from acquiring nuclear weapons. He said reaching an agreement with Iran would require considerable effort, and that military options remained available to President Trump.

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