$11.1 billion weapons sale for Taiwan proposed by Trump admin

President Donald Trump’s administration revealed a combined $11.1 billion military weapons package for Taiwan last Wednesday that would be one of the largest military sales the United States has ever provided to Taiwan if Congress and Taiwan’s government both approve the weapons package.

The proposed $11.1 billion arms package for Taiwan was announced on Wednesday by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency. According to CNN, the proposed weapons package for Taiwan would involve eight individual purchases and would include howitzers, HIMARS rockets systems, anti-armor missiles, anti-tank missiles, loitering suicide drones, parts for different military equipment, and military software.

In a press release, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said, “This proposed sale serves U.S. national, economic, and security interests by supporting the recipient’s continuing efforts to modernize its armed forces and to maintain a credible defensive capability. The proposed sale will help improve the security of the recipient and assist in maintaining political stability, military balance, and economic progress in the region.”

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency added that the proposed weapons package would allow Taiwan to meet both current and future threats by “enhancing the self-defense” of its military forces. 

CNN reported that while the Trump administration confirmed last week that the State Department has “made a determination” regarding the potential weapons sale to Taiwan, the individual sales still await final approval by Congress.

Following the announcement of the weapons package, China, which claims that Taiwan is part of its territory, released a statement indicating that it “firmly opposes and strongly condemns” the proposal, according to CNN.

Guo Jiakun, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, told reporters on Thursday, “The US’s attempt to use force to support Taiwan independence will only backfire, and its attempt to contain China by using Taiwan will absolutely not succeed.”

On the other hand, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry celebrated the announcement, saying, “The United States… continues to assist Taiwan in maintaining sufficient self‑defense capabilities and in rapidly building strong deterrence and leveraging asymmetric warfare advantages, which form the foundation for maintaining regional peace and stability.”

In a statement obtained by Reuters, Karen Kuo, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Presidential Office, emphasized that Taiwan will continue to push for reforms that show the country is determined to defend itself and maintain peace in the region “through strength.”