Washington, Sept. 21 -- A proposed USD 14 billion US arms sale to Taiwan is emerging as a critical point of friction ahead of US President Donald Trump's meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping this week, as Beijing urges Washington to maintain a freeze on the transaction while Taipei stresses that safeguarding the island directly serves American interests, according to a report by The New York Times.

The report indicates that Xi is anticipated to press Trump to further postpone the delivery package, which encompasses defensive assets such as missiles, anti-drone systems and air-defence infrastructure. Trump has previously deferred approval of the transfer, characterising the arrangement as a potential "negotiating chip" in diplomatic ...