U.S. President Donald Trump has described arms sales to Taiwan as a "very good negotiating chip" in dealings with China.

TAIPEI, May 16 (Reuters) - U.S. arms sales to Taiwan have always been a cornerstone of regional peace and stability and are something confirmed in U.S. law, a senior Taiwanese diplomat said on Saturday after President Donald Trump said he had not decided on future sales.

President Trump warns Taiwan not to expect unconditional U.S. military support, saying he does not want to travel 9,500 miles to fight a war with China.

The optimistic outlook projected by Trump and Xi collides with some difficult truths about the thorniest issues between the two superpowers.

By Trevor Hunnicutt ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE, May 15 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump said on Friday he discussed U.S. arms sales to Taiwan with Chinese President Xi Jinping during talks in Beijing and said he would soon make a decision on the matter,

As President Trump left Beijing, there was no indication that he and Xi Jinping had resolved any major points of contention on trade, the war in Iran or other issues during their talks.

President Donald Trump departed Beijing Thursday afternoon local time without any immediate clear signs that the US and China have resolved thorny challenges dogging the fractious relationship, but with a freshly-stabilized relationship with China leader Xi Jinping – for now.

At a press availability on Air Force One, President Donald Trump said Chinese President Xi Jinping told him the U.S. is the "hottest country anywhere in the world." But he said today, and he said it very publicly,