Geostrategic Media Political Commentary, Analysis, Security, Defense
A major U.S. weapons package for Taiwan worth about 14 billion dollars is awaiting approval from Donald Trump and could be announced after his planned visit to China later this month, according to sources familiar with the discussions.
The proposed deal would be the largest U.S. arms sale ever to Taiwan and comes as military tensions between China and the self ruled island continue to rise.
Sources told Reuters the package has been kept under wraps ahead of Trump’s planned trip to Beijing from March 31 to April 2, where he is scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping.
China claims Taiwan as its own territory and strongly opposes U.S. arms sales to the island.
Contents of the arms package
The proposed package would largely consist of advanced air defence systems designed to protect Taiwan from missile attacks.
According to sources, the deal includes interceptor missiles from the Patriot PAC-3 and the NASAMS air defence systems.
Both systems are designed to intercept incoming missiles and aircraft and are considered central to Taiwan’s efforts to strengthen its defensive capabilities against potential attacks.
Sources said the approval process is largely complete and the package could be formally announced as soon as Trump signs off on it.
Another package worth roughly six billion dollars focused on asymmetric defence capabilities is also awaiting approval and could be announced either alongside the main deal or shortly afterward.
Strategic context
The planned weapons sale comes at a sensitive moment in U.S. China relations.
Trump is seeking to secure a favourable trade agreement with Beijing, leading some analysts to speculate that Washington might slow military support for Taiwan in order to avoid angering China.
However, the preparation of a new arms package suggests the administration intends to maintain or potentially increase its support for Taiwan’s defence.
U.S. policy toward Taiwan is governed in part by the Taiwan Relations Act, which requires Washington to provide the island with the means to defend itself.
Growing military pressure
Taiwan has faced increasing military pressure from China in recent years, including large scale military exercises and frequent air and naval patrols near the island.
U.S. administrations across both political parties have responded by strengthening military cooperation with Taiwan and approving arms sales aimed at improving the island’s defensive capabilities.
Since returning to office, Trump has already authorised more weapons sales to Taiwan than his predecessor Joe Biden approved over four years.
In December, Washington approved an 11 billion dollar package that included missiles, drones, artillery systems and aircraft components.
Developments in Taipei
Taiwan’s parliament recently authorised the government to sign contracts for four weapons systems included in the earlier 11 billion dollar package even before lawmakers formally approved the spending.
Officials said the move was intended to ensure contracts could be signed before the relevant deadlines.
Taiwan’s defence ministry said procurement plans have already undergone preliminary coordination with U.S. authorities, including the Defense Security Cooperation Agency which manages foreign military sales.
China’s response
China has consistently opposed U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, which it views as interference in its internal affairs.
In a statement to Reuters, China’s foreign ministry said its opposition to arms sales to Taiwan was “consistent and unequivocal” and reiterated demands that the United States halt such transfers.
Analysts note that U.S. administrations have often timed announcements of arms sales to Taiwan around diplomatic engagements with Beijing to avoid unnecessary escalation.
Analysis
The timing of the potential arms approval highlights the delicate balance Washington seeks to maintain between strategic competition with China and diplomatic engagement with Beijing.
Delaying the announcement until after Trump’s meeting with Xi suggests the administration is trying to avoid overshadowing the summit while still signalling continued support for Taiwan’s defence.
For Taiwan, the deal would represent a significant boost to its air defence capabilities at a time when the threat of missile attacks from China is viewed as one of its most serious vulnerabilities.
At the same time, the package could further strain already tense relations between the United States and China, particularly if Beijing interprets the move as an escalation of Washington’s military commitment to the island.
