The United States on Wednesday approved $11.1 billion in arms sales to Taiwan, marking the largest weapons package ever offered to the island, which faces increasing military and diplomatic pressure from China. The move comes under U.S. President Donald Trump’s current administration and is the second arms deal announced during his second term, reflecting Washington’s efforts to bolster Taipei’s defensive capabilities.
Taiwan’s defence ministry said the proposed sale covers eight items, including HIMARS rocket systems, howitzers, Javelin anti-tank missiles, Altius loitering munition drones, and spare parts for other military equipment. The ministry emphasized that the package is intended to help Taiwan maintain self-defence capabilities, enhance deterrence, and leverage asymmetric warfare strategies as a foundation for regional stability. The sale is now at the Congressional notification stage, allowing lawmakers the opportunity to block or modify it, though support for Taiwan’s defence remains bipartisan.
The Pentagon underscored that the sale advances U.S. national, economic, and security interests by helping Taiwan modernize its armed forces and maintain a credible defensive posture. In line with this strategy, Taiwan has been focusing on smaller, mobile, and cost-effective weapons capable of delivering precise strikes, including drones and missile systems. Presidential office spokesperson Karen Kuo expressed gratitude to the United States, saying the package reinforces Taiwan’s determination to defend itself and safeguard peace through strength. Last month, President Lai Ching-te announced a $40 billion supplementary defence budget for 2026–2033, emphasizing that national security leaves no room for compromise.
Analysts highlighted the strategic significance of the weapons included in the deal. Rupert Hammond-Chambers, president of the U.S.-Taiwan Business Council, noted that systems like HIMARS, proven effective in Ukraine, could play a key role in countering a potential Chinese invasion. He described the package as a response to the growing threat from China and a reflection of Trump’s push for allies to strengthen their own defence capabilities.
The announcement followed an unpublicized visit by Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung to the Washington area last week to meet U.S. officials, according to sources cited by Reuters, though details of the meetings remain unclear. While Washington maintains formal diplomatic ties with Beijing, it has longstanding unofficial relations with Taiwan and is legally obligated to provide arms for the island’s self-defence—a policy that continues to strain U.S.-China relations.
The arms sale also aligns with the Trump administration’s broader national security strategy unveiled earlier this month, which emphasizes deterring conflict over Taiwan by preserving U.S. military overmatch in the region and highlights Taiwan’s strategic position between Northeast and Southeast Asia. Chinese authorities did not immediately respond to requests for comment, while Taipei welcomed the support as critical to countering Beijing’s growing assertiveness.
