Former Senior White House Official Discusses “Trump-Xi Summit,” Arms Sales to Taiwan, and US-China Space Arms Race

Voice of America interviews a former senior White House official to discuss potential US-China competition in the space sector and concerns over space-based weapons, as well as analyzing high-level US-China interactions, US Department of the Army officials attending the Xiangshan Forum, and the prospects of the $14 billion arms sales to Taiwan.

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Both sides possess clandestine spacecraft and have been using them in undisclosed launches. We don't know for sure what they do with these vehicles, but those vehicles could easily deploy space-based weapons. Now, such weapons from the US might not be what we call kinetic weapons, but rather weapons that can blind or jam Chinese satellites so they don't work. But the Chinese are well aware of our plans. This is not a surprise to them. I don't think this will become an obstacle.

It is significant that the US Department of the Army sent this senior official to attend the Xiangshan Forum, and the Chinese side understands this as a signal that the US wants to enhance its military strength. President Xi Jinping has made it clear to President Trump that the $14 billion arms sale should not proceed. Obviously, President Trump has delayed this deal. My assessment is that Xi will tell the state president again that this kind of thing should not happen. If Xi agrees to visit Mar-a-Lago or Miami in December, Trump will once again postpone any decision on this arms sale. Therefore, I do not expect progress on this arms sale this year. We will see what happens next year.