Taipei:U.S. arms sales to Taiwan could experience further delays due to ongoing discussions between Washington and Beijing, as stated by a researcher at a forum in Taipei on Tuesday. However, these sales are unlikely to be halted entirely.

According to Focus Taiwan, Ma Chun-wei, an assistant professor at Tamkang University's Graduate Institute of International Affairs and Strategic Studies, shared insights from his research at the Hudson Institute in Washington. He noted several reasons for the delays in arms sales, including limitations on U.S. weapons production and a desire to avoid disrupting diplomatic talks with China. Additionally, there is a belief that Taiwan may need more time to prepare for the integration of new weapons.

Ma indicated that these delays are partly based on the broader assessment of the risk of war, with U.S. policy circles viewing a Chinese invasion of Taiwan as unlikely in the near to medium term. Nonetheless, he emphasized that Taiwan should not ease its defense preparations despite the low risk of an imminent attack.

He expects arms sales to continue, particularly if Chinese pressure on Taiwan increases. However, further meetings between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping could complicate new announcements before the year's end.

Chen Chih-chieh, deputy director of National Chengchi University's Institute of International Relations, suggested that arms sales might become a bargaining chip as Washington and Beijing work to stabilize relations following a meeting between Trump and Xi at the White House. He presented data from the Ministry of National Defense showing 1,402 Chinese military aircraft entries into Taiwan's air defense identification zone this year, with a slide listing 3,002 entries from January through September 2025.

Chen pointed out that this reduction in military flights could signal Beijing easing military pressure amid talks with Washington, although other forms of pressure might persist. He warned that any easing could be temporary and that Beijing might seek further U.S. concessions, including an end to arms sales to Taiwan.