Yet the country’s main opposition party is blocking the spending increase, and its leader has accepted an invitation from Chinese President Xi Jinping to visit mainland China. The self-governing democracy, which China considers a breakaway province, produces about 90 percent of the world’s most advanced computer chips. China could demand concessions on U.S. weapons sales to Taiwan or a categorical statement from the president opposing Taiwanese independence. Trump has already delayed a congressionally endorsed $11 billion arms deal for Taiwan that his own administration proposed in December. That’s a good outcome for the world economy and a good reason for the United States to maintain the most powerful military on the planet.

Source: Washington Post April 05, 2026 18:43 UTC