Trump’s Taiwan leverage remark stirs security jitters in Taipei

Trump said in a Fox News interview that U.S. arms sales to Taiwan are a “very good negotiating chip” with China, a claim that alarms Taipei about becoming a bargaining tool even as Washington maintains its legal duty to help defend Taiwan. China warned of clashes and Xi Jinping urged careful handling, while Taiwan sought to reassure that U.S. policy remains unchanged. The president also floated moving Taiwan’s chip production to the United States, aligning with a broader reshoring push that includes major investments by TSMC in Arizona.