Taiwan Assures US Defence Support Remains Firm as $14 Billion Arms Sale Stalls
Taipei says it has received no indication of a split arms package as Washington reviews the proposed sale amid efforts to manage US-China relations.
Taipei: Taiwan Defence Minister Wellington Koo on Tuesday said Taipei had not been informed of any US plan to divide a proposed $14 billion weapons package into smaller deals, while stressing that Washington’s commitment to strengthening the island’s defence capabilities remained unchanged.
Koo made the remarks in parliament as uncertainty continued over the proposed arms sale, which has yet to receive approval from US President Donald Trump. Taiwan has previously indicated that Washington could consider splitting the package into several parts to limit tensions with Beijing.
Trump has delayed approval of the latest package amid efforts to maintain relations with Chinese President Xi Jinping and preserve a fragile trade understanding between Washington and Beijing. The US president approved an arms package worth about $11 billion for Taiwan in December.
In May, following his meeting with Xi in Beijing, Trump said he was holding back another proposed sale, referring to the deal as a “very good negotiating chip.” Beijing, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory, has repeatedly opposed US arms transfers to Taipei.
Responding to questions from lawmakers, Koo said Washington had repeatedly reaffirmed its support for Taiwan’s efforts to improve its ability to defend itself.
“Regarding arms sales, we respect the US review process. We are also continuing to coordinate with the United States. At present, we have not received any information about so-called separate batches,” Koo said.
The US State Department had not immediately responded to a request for comment.
Under US law, Washington is required to provide Taiwan with defence-related means to help it maintain its self-defence capabilities. The United States remains Taipei’s most important international security partner, despite the absence of formal diplomatic relations between the two sides.
Koo also acknowledged close military and defence exchanges between Taiwan and the United States, saying such cooperation supports Taipei’s ongoing preparations and plans to modernise its armed forces.
Taiwanese Foreign Minister Lin Chia lung and former President Tsai Ing-wen are visiting the United States this week. Tsai’s trip marks her first visit to the country since leaving office two years ago.
Commenting on the visits, a US State Department spokesperson said engagement with Taiwan benefits both the United States and the wider international community, citing the island’s technological capabilities and democratic system.
China’s embassy in Washington, meanwhile, reiterated Beijing’s opposition to official contacts of any kind between the United States and Taiwan, which it considers part of China.
