US-China détente runs up against tensions over Taiwan
Washington and Beijing seek stability, but differ over military support and Chinese activities around the island.
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The United States and China are trying to stabilise their relationship after a series of summit meetings. Taiwan remains the most difficult issue, with disagreement over US arms deliveries and Chinese patrols around the island.
President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke in Washington at the end of September about relations between the two countries. According to the Chinese government, Xi said Washington should handle the Taiwan issue cautiously and oppose Taiwanese independence.
That wording reflects the official Chinese position, but does not mean that an agreement has been reached. Beijing regards Taiwan as part of China. Taiwan has its own democratic government and rejects the claim that the island falls under Beijing’s authority.
A major US arms package for Taiwan worth approximately $14 billion has still not been finalised, according to Associated Press. Taiwan says existing military cooperation is continuing, but that the substantial new delivery has been delayed following earlier talks between Trump and Xi.
At the same time, maritime activity around Taiwan is increasing. Reuters reported on Friday that the US government considers Chinese activities off Taiwan’s east coast destabilising. These included regular Chinese coastguard patrols and an observed Chinese vessel that, according to the report, was linked to a maritime militia.
The two sides can therefore try to prevent escalation while also strengthening their positions. For Washington, dialogue with Beijing may be important for trade, technology and crisis management. For China, Taiwan is linked to national unity and territorial integrity. Those interests are not inherently incompatible, but they make agreements vulnerable.
For European countries, the development is relevant because Taiwan plays a central role in the production of advanced chips and disruption to sea routes could affect global trade. Renewed diplomatic rapprochement could reduce risks, but as long as the military and political signals diverge, it is too early to speak of lasting détente.
The current situation is therefore ambiguous: there are talks and attempts to keep the relationship manageable, but also continuing disagreements and military pressure. None of the sources consulted reports that the core of the conflict over Taiwan has been resolved.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- China and the United States have held recent talks.
- China demands that Washington reject Taiwanese independence.
- A major US arms package for Taiwan has been delayed.
- The United States calls Chinese activities around Taiwan destabilising.
Left
Arguments The emphasis should be on diplomacy, de-escalation and preventing Taiwan from becoming a pawn in great-power politics. Arms deliveries may deter aggression, but they also increase the risk of a security dilemma.
Values Peace, self-determination and multilateral crisis management.
Consequences More diplomacy could prevent escalation, but without credible deterrence China may feel less constrained.
Centre
Arguments Stability requires strategic ambiguity: Taiwan must be able to defend itself, while Washington and Beijing keep communication channels open. Neither side has an interest in an unintended conflict.
Values Risk management, international stability and pragmatism.
Consequences A cautious middle course may buy time, but leaves Taiwan and businesses facing long-term uncertainty.
Right
Arguments China mainly understands clear power and deterrence. Delaying arms deliveries could encourage Beijing to increase pressure on Taiwan; Washington must show allies that commitments are reliable.
Values National security, alliances and deterrence.
Consequences Stronger military support could make an attack less attractive, but increases the risk of a harsher response from China.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved with corrections · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The sources confirm the diplomatic contacts, the Taiwanese arms issue and US criticism of Chinese maritime activities. The text presents possible détente as an attempt at stabilisation, not as a proven breakthrough.
- confirmed Xi and Trump spoke in Washington at the end of September. — The Chinese government described the talks on 24 September. source
- confirmed China opposes Taiwanese independence. — This appears in the official Chinese account of Xi’s position. source
- confirmed A US arms package worth approximately $14 billion for Taiwan has been delayed. — Associated Press reports that the package is still awaiting approval or implementation. source
- confirmed The United States calls Chinese activities off Taiwan’s east coast destabilising. — Reuters reported the statement by the US Department of State. source
- confirmed Lasting détente has not yet been achieved. — This is an editorial conclusion drawn from the simultaneous diplomatic contacts, military tensions and absence of a reported solution. source
1 correction(s) applied
- Was: China and the US have achieved a new détente.Now: China and the US are trying to stabilise their relationship, while tensions around Taiwan continue. (The sources show diplomatic contacts, but no resolved conflict or lasting détente.)
Editor's note
The official Chinese position is attributed as such. The term détente refers to diplomatic contacts and is not a finding that the conflict has been resolved.Sources
- Xi says China hopes U.S. to handle Taiwan question with prudence — Chinese overheid / Xinhua
- Taiwan says US arms sales to island are unchanged, but a $14B package remains on hold — Associated Press
- US says Chinese actions off Taiwan are deeply destabilising — Reuters via Internazionale
More on this in Dutch media
- Het Parool — „china taiwan”
- Trouw — „china taiwan”
- NRC — „china taiwan”