A group of United States senators has condemned President Donald Trump’s recent trip to China as a missed opportunity that weakened American security interests, saying he failed to press Chinese leader Xi Jinping on both Taiwan’s defence and Beijing’s support for Iran amid ongoing hostilities. In a sharply worded statement, the senators called Mr Trump’s approach “reckless,” accusing him of prioritising short-term, reversible deals over long-term strategic objectives.
“President Trump failed to use his summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping to advance any objectives important to the American people — to counter China’s unfair trade practices and military aggression, preserve American technological and economic leadership, stand up for human rights or strengthen deterrence to prevent a conflict over Taiwan,” the senators said. They argued Mr Trump did not coordinate a unified approach with allies and partners ahead of the visit and instead “demonstrated once again his willingness to go-it-alone and to sacrifice American national security for minimal and reversible ‘deals.’”
A central criticism was that Mr Trump did not publicly defend U.S. commitments to Taiwan’s security during his meetings in Beijing. “We are deeply disturbed by Trump’s refusal to defend America’s support for Taiwan during this summit, including by consulting with President Xi regarding U.S. obligations to help provide for Taiwan’s defence,” the senators said, warning that the administration’s silence could weaken deterrence at a time of rising military pressure in the Taiwan Strait.
The senators also urged the administration to formally notify Congress about $14 billion in arms sales that lawmakers pre-approved in January. Congressional notification is a key step in oversight of major foreign military sales; the senators framed their demand as necessary to ensure that lawmakers can review agreements and assess whether U.S. policy toward Taiwan and broader regional security is being adequately supported.
Another point of concern raised in the statement was Mr Trump’s failure, according to the senators, to confront President Xi about Beijing’s support for Iran while U.S. forces were engaged in hostilities with Tehran. The senators signalled alarm that China’s actions on Iran — and Mr Trump’s reluctance to press Xi on them — could complicate U.S. efforts to stabilise the region and hold Tehran accountable.
The criticism is the latest in mounting unease on Capitol Hill about the administration’s China policy, where lawmakers from both parties have alternately accused the White House of being either too confrontational or too conciliatory. By emphasising the lack of coordination with allies and the absence of firm commitments on Taiwan and arms notifications, the senators’ statement underlines growing congressional frustration and could presage increased oversight or legislative responses if the administration does not provide the requested information.
The White House has not publicly responded to the senators’ statement in the material released so far. The senators’ demand for formal notification of the pre-approved arms package and their call for tougher engagement with Beijing mark a continuing flashpoint as Washington debates how best to manage competition with China while assuring partners in the Indo-Pacific.