Trump was completely stunned. Just after announcing the sale of over $10 billion worth of large-scale military equipment to Taiwan, China canceled an order for 132,000 tons of American white wheat.

On December 17, the Trump administration announced a military sales plan to Taiwan worth $11.1 billion, setting a record for the highest amount in U.S. military sales to Taiwan.

This batch of military sales includes 82 sets of 'HIMARS' long-range precision strike systems, 420 army tactical missiles, 60 M109A7 self-propelled howitzers, and other military projects, covering key equipment in land, sea, and air domains. The U.S. claims this move is aimed at assisting Taiwan in maintaining 'self-defense capabilities,' but it seriously violates the One China principle and the three joint communiqués between China and the U.S., and grossly interferes in China's internal affairs.

Less than 24 hours after the military sales news broke, the U.S. Department of Agriculture released a late-night announcement confirming that China had canceled the order for 132,000 tons of American white wheat in full.

This transaction, which was originally the largest wheat deal between China and the U.S. in 2025, suddenly fell through, catching Trump's team off guard after they had just celebrated. Wheat futures prices at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange dropped to an eight-week low, down 10% from the November peak.

This is not a simple business decision but a precise countermeasure from China in response to U.S. provocation. After the Kuala Lumpur negotiations between China and the U.S. in October, American media had reported with great fanfare that China had resumed purchases of U.S. wheat, at a time when Trump had promised farmers more orders from China in a speech at the Agricultural Association.

Now, with the cancellation of orders, the impact is rapidly manifesting within the U.S. The canceled 132,000 tons of wheat mainly comes from Iowa, where local agricultural cooperatives have urgently convened meetings, worrying about the follow-up orders being obstructed. The governor of Iowa publicly stated that he would send a team to Washington to communicate with the White House to ensure the interests of farmers.

From a strategic perspective, the Trump administration's decision to throw out large military sales at this time involves multiple calculations. With the 2026 U.S. midterm elections approaching, Trump is facing electoral pressure, and support from agricultural states is particularly critical. In the 2024 elections, the top five wheat-producing states, including Iowa and Kansas, contributed 38% of his votes.

Military sales, as a lucrative business, can generate revenue for military giants and also raise funds for elections, making it the optimal choice for Trump. At the same time, the U.S. Congress has just passed a $901 billion National Defense Authorization Act, and the enormous expenditures need funding to fill the gap, making military sales a 'quick money business.'

However, Trump clearly underestimated China's determination and means for counteraction. China has long established diversified channels for agricultural product imports and greatly reduced its reliance on U.S. wheat. The proportion of U.S. soybeans in China's imports in 2024 has plummeted from 40% in 2016 to 22.8%, and the same goes for other agricultural products like wheat.

China has shortened the transport cycle to 25 days through measures such as acquiring the rights to operate the Port of Paranaguá in Brazil, setting up agricultural technology academies, and directly purchasing Brazilian soybeans, making it more competitive than American soybeans, which take 40 days. Meanwhile, domestic soybean production has increased by 60% compared to 2017, significantly enhancing self-sufficiency.

China's countermeasures extend beyond agricultural trade. The new regulations on rare earth control implemented on December 1 have already shown their power. According to Ministry of Commerce Announcement No. 61, exports of rare earth materials for military and military-related purposes are fully prohibited, and a strict licensing system is implemented in the civilian sector.

U.S. military enterprises have reported that the supply of rare earth materials needed for producing the HIMARS system's guidance modules has been obstructed, severely impacting production progress. China has countermeasures advantages in rare earths and high-end manufacturing, and if the U.S. continues to mess around on the Taiwan issue, it will only face harsher retaliations.

The reaction from Taiwan authorities reveals their sycophancy. The Taiwan defense department loudly proclaimed gratitude to the U.S. for assisting Taiwan in maintaining 'self-defense capabilities' based on the Taiwan Relations Act and the 'Six Guarantees,' with Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung stating that he is 'pleased to see the U.S. support Taiwan with concrete actions.'

The Lai Ching-te administration also announced it would spend $40 billion on a so-called 'special budget plan' to purchase large quantities of advanced weapons and equipment from the U.S., which in reality is a disguised form of paying 'protection fees' to the U.S.

However, U.S. media have exposed a confidential Pentagon report suggesting that the PLA has already amassed sufficient strength to destroy these advanced weapons before they arrive in Taiwan, indicating that once a conflict erupts across the Taiwan Strait, the U.S. will be unable to 'defend Taiwan.'

History has proven that any separatist actions will result in failure. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiaqin clearly stated that the U.S. 'arming Taiwan for independence' will only backfire, and 'using Taiwan to contain China' will absolutely not succeed.

The Taiwan issue is at the core of China's core interests and is the first red line that cannot be crossed in China-U.S. relations. No one should underestimate the firm will and strong capability of the Chinese government and people to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity. China urges the U.S. to adhere to the One China principle and the three joint communiqués between China and the U.S., fulfill the solemn commitments made by U.S. leaders, and immediately cease dangerous actions to arm Taiwan.

China's countermeasures are just the beginning. As long as the U.S. and Taiwan dare to continue colluding and provoking, what awaits them will be even harsher retaliations. From agricultural trade to rare earth control, from diplomatic statements to military deterrence, China has built a comprehensive countermeasure system.

The Trump administration thought it could use military sales to 'use Taiwan to contain China' and control China through double-sided operations, but it clearly miscalculated. The blood ties between compatriots on both sides of the strait are inseparable; reunification is the trend of history and the will of the people. Any external interference and 'Taiwan independence' separatist actions cannot stop this process.