President Donald Trump returned from Beijing, highlighting improved trade relations with Chinese President Xi Jinping. However, the summit did not address the critical issue of Taiwan, a major point of contention between the U.S. and China.
Enes Kanter Freedom, former NBA star and human-rights activist, spoke with Fox News Digital about Taiwan’s strategic importance. He emphasized that understanding Taiwan is essential for future AI dominance, economic power, and national security.
Freedom stressed that Taiwan remains an unresolved challenge for the U.S. in its economic and national security competition with China. He commended President Trump for recognizing communist China as America’s significant long-term geopolitical challenge.
Freedom commented, “I believe maintaining stability in the Taiwan Strait requires strong American leadership and strategic clarity.” He believes that America must present a deterrent to authoritarian regimes.
Recently, Taiwan’s naval and air force responded to China’s unexpected live-fire drills. Taiwan continues to seek U.S. weapons to bolster defense against potential Chinese attacks.
Trump’s decision on a new Taiwan arms package remains pending. Although the summit did not produce a breakthrough, the arms package decision will be crucial for both Beijing and Taipei. A senior White House official disclosed that Trump would make a decision soon. The official also noted Trump’s approval of $11.1 billion in arms sales to Taiwan in December 2025.
Trump’s previous term saw record arms sales to Taiwan, exceeding those of any other president. In his second term, the pace continued to surpass President Biden’s administration.
Top American tech CEOs, including AI executives, joined Trump during the summit, emphasizing the U.S.-China rivalry over AI as an economic and geopolitical arms race.
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te highlighted the importance of U.S. arms purchases as a deterrent to regional conflict. He referenced the Taiwan Relations Act as foundational for security cooperation and arms sales.
Freedom reiterated Taiwan’s connection to America’s economy, military readiness, and AI futures. Taiwan is crucial for the technologies that will define the next century.
Taiwan’s semiconductor industry, led by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., plays a central role in global technology, supporting companies like Apple, Nvidia, AMD, and Qualcomm.
China’s military activity around Taiwan has intensified, with large-scale air and naval operations. A Chinese Foreign Affairs spokesperson stated that ‘Taiwan independence’ threatens peace along the Taiwan Strait.
Freedom plans to visit Taiwan in October to organize basketball camps, helping to inspire the next generation of athletes. He aims to showcase Taiwan’s vibrant, democratic society that stands firm against intimidation.
Freedom also plans to bring attention to China’s human rights abuses, including the Uyghur genocide, and the struggles of Hong Kongers, Tibetans, and Falun Gong practitioners.
Fox News Digital’s Ashley J. DiMella reports on politics for this story.