The Trump administration has announced a massive arms sales package to Taiwan worth over $11 billion, including medium-range missiles, howitzers, and drones, prompting strong condemnation from China.
The State Department unveiled the sales late Wednesday during a nationally televised address by President Donald Trump, who did not address China or Taiwan in his speech. U.S.-China tensions have fluctuated during Trump’s second term, largely over trade, tariffs, and Beijing’s growing assertiveness toward Taiwan, which China considers part of its territory.
If approved by Congress, the deal would be the largest-ever U.S. arms sale to Taiwan, surpassing the $8.4 billion provided during the Biden administration. The package covers eight agreements, including 82 high-mobility artillery rocket systems (HIMARS), 420 Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), 60 self-propelled howitzers, drones, military software, Javelin and TOW missiles, helicopter parts, and Harpoon missile refurbishment kits. Taiwan’s Defense Ministry values the total package at $11.15 billion.
The U.S. said the sales support Taiwan’s efforts to modernize its armed forces and maintain a credible defensive capability, while promoting regional stability, political balance, and economic progress.
China’s Foreign Ministry criticized the move, saying it violates diplomatic agreements, threatens China’s sovereignty, and could escalate military tensions in the Taiwan Strait. Spokesperson Guo Jiakun warned the sales would backfire and accused Taiwan of wasting resources on weapons instead of pursuing reunification.
Taiwan’s Defense Ministry thanked the U.S., saying the deal would strengthen the island’s self-defense and deterrence capabilities, which are key to regional peace. Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung echoed the gratitude, highlighting the role of U.S. support in deterring conflict in the Taiwan Strait.
Taiwan has pledged to raise defense spending to 3.3% of GDP next year and target 5% by 2030. President Lai Ching-te announced a special $40 billion arms budget over eight years, including the Taiwan Dome air defense system.
The U.S. arms package aligns with legislation recently passed by Congress, which Trump is expected to sign. China last week criticized the National Defense Authorization Act for unfairly portraying it as an aggressor.
Mistreanu reported from Beijing. AP video journalists Olivia Zhang in Beijing and Johnson Lai in Taipei contributed to this report.