Washington – The Trump administration has approved a sweeping arms sales package to Taiwan worth more than $10 billion, a move that has triggered a strong backlash from China and further heightened tensions in the Taiwan Strait.
The US State Department announced the arms sales late Wednesday as President Donald Trump delivered a nationally televised address. While the President did not refer to China or Taiwan in his speech, the announcement underscored Washington’s continued military support for Taipei amid growing concerns over Beijing’s posture toward the self-governed island.
The package includes eight separate arms sale agreements, featuring 82 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and 420 Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), valued at over $4 billion. Similar systems were earlier supplied by the US to Ukraine during the Biden administration. The deal also covers 60 self-propelled howitzers and related equipment worth more than $4 billion, along with drones valued at over $1 billion.
Additional components of the package include military software exceeding $1 billion, Javelin and TOW anti-tank missiles worth more than $700 million, helicopter spare parts valued at $96 million and refurbishment kits for Harpoon missiles amounting to $91 million.
In official statements, the State Department said the arms sales serve US national, economic and security interests by supporting Taiwan’s efforts to modernise its armed forces and maintain a credible defensive posture. The department added that the move would help preserve political stability, military balance and economic progress in the region.
China reacted sharply to the announcement, with its Foreign Ministry accusing the US of violating bilateral diplomatic commitments and undermining China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Beijing warned that the arms sales would destabilise the region and push cross-strait relations toward a dangerous confrontation. Chinese officials also criticised Taiwan’s leadership, accusing it of pursuing independence through militarisation.
The United States, under federal law, is required to assist Taiwan in maintaining its self-defence capabilities, a long-standing policy that has increasingly strained US-China relations. Beijing has repeatedly asserted that Taiwan must reunify with the mainland and has not ruled out the use of force.
Taiwan’s Defence Ministry welcomed the arms deal, saying it would strengthen the island’s deterrence and help ensure sufficient self-defence capabilities. Officials said bolstering defence readiness remains essential for maintaining peace and stability in the region. Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung also thanked the US for its continued support, calling it crucial for preventing conflict in the Taiwan Strait.
The arms sales come as Taiwan plans to significantly increase defence spending, with the government pledging to allocate 3.3 per cent of GDP to defence next year and raise it to 5 per cent by 2030. President Lai Ching-te recently announced a special $40 billion defence budget spread over eight years, including funding for an advanced air defence system known as the “Taiwan Dome.”
The expanded military assistance follows legislation passed by the US Congress, including the National Defense Authorization Act, which is expected to be signed into law by President Trump. China has criticised the legislation, accusing Washington of portraying Beijing as an aggressor.
