China Suspends Arms Control Talks with US Over Taiwan Arms Sales

China has halted discussions on arms control and nuclear proliferation with the United States in response to American arms sales to Taiwan. This move intensifies the already strained relations between the two global powers, with both US presidential candidates advocating for increased trade restrictions and measures to limit Chinese influence in East Asia.

The announcement was made by China’s foreign ministry on Wednesday, marking a pause in early nuclear-arms talks during a period of growing tensions. The US, which views Taiwan as a critical partner and its largest arms supplier, has approved substantial military aid to bolster Taiwan's defenses. In June, the House of Representatives greenlit $500 million in foreign military financing for Taiwan, alongside $2 billion in loans and guarantees, and $300 million in spare and repair parts for F-16 fighter jets.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian criticized the US for continuing arms sales to Taiwan despite "strong Chinese opposition and repeated negotiations." He stated, “Consequently, the Chinese side has decided to hold off discussion with the US on a new round of consultations on arms control and nonproliferation. The responsibility fully lies with the US.”

Lin emphasized China’s willingness to maintain communication on international arms control but insisted that the US must “respect China’s core interests and create necessary conditions for dialogue and exchange.”

In response, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller accused China of "following Russia’s lead" by using arms control negotiations as leverage in other conflicts within the bilateral relationship. “We think this approach undermines strategic stability, it increases the risk of arms-race dynamics,” Miller said, noting that the US remains open to developing and implementing risk-reduction measures with China.

China currently has an estimated 500 nuclear warheads, but the US Department of Defense anticipates that Beijing could produce over 1,000 by 2030. The US and China last held arms talks in November, their first in five years, covering topics such as the nuclear nonproliferation treaty, compliance with the Biological Weapons Convention, the Chemical Weapons Convention, and outer space security.

The decision to suspend talks follows significant developments in US-Taiwan relations. Former President Donald Trump has suggested that Taiwan should compensate the US for its defense support, comparing it to an insurance policy. In an interview with Bloomberg Businessweek, Trump said, “Taiwan should pay us for defense. You know we’re no different than an insurance company.”

Meanwhile, Republican vice-presidential candidate JD Vance has expressed strong support for Taiwan, arguing that US backing of Ukraine has diverted Washington’s focus from arming Taiwan in preparation for potential conflict.

As the geopolitical landscape continues to evolve, the suspension of arms control talks adds another layer of complexity to the already tense US-China relationship, with significant implications for regional and global security.