US announces massive package of arms sales to Taiwan valued at more than $10 billion
- On Dec 18, the United States announced a potential sale of eight arms packages to Taiwan valued at $11.1 billion during a televised address by President Donald Trump.
- U.S. officials said the sales aim to help Taiwan maintain adequate self‑defense under the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances, aligning with the National Security Strategy to deter conflict.
- The package includes 82 HIMARS and 420 ATACMS worth more than $4 billion, 60 M109A7 self-propelled howitzers valued over $4 billion, and military software exceeding $1 billion alongside Javelin and TOW 2B missiles worth more than $700 million.
- The package now faces a mandatory congressional review of around 30 days after the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered required certifications, a move expected to infuriate Beijing amid rising cross-Strait tensions.
- The announcement followed an unannounced Washington-area trip last week by Foreign Minister Lin Chia‑lung and included five packages covered in an NT$1.25 trillion special defence budget, Taiwan’s defence ministry said.
The Donald Trump administration has approved more than $10 billion in arms sales to Taiwan, including missiles, howitzers and drones, in a deal expected to anger China.
The U.S. State Department announced the arms sale late Wednesday, as Trump delivered a nationally televised address. Trump focused on domestic politics and made no mention of China or Taiwan.
The eight arms deals announced Wednesday include HIMARS, ATACMS missiles, self-propelled howitzers and related equipment. The United States is also selling Taiwan drones for $1 billion. Other deals include military software, Javelin missiles and helicopter parts, the AP reported .
The US State Department said in a separate statement that the arms sales protect US national, economic, and security interests.
“The proposed sale will help improve the security of the recipient country and help maintain political stability, military balance and economic development in the region,” the statement said.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense thanked the United States for the arms sale and said the deal would enhance the country’s deterrence and defense capabilities.
The arms sale comes as the Taiwanese government has pledged to increase defense spending to 3.3 percent of GDP next year. Taiwan hopes to increase defense spending to five percent of GDP by 2030.
The latest US announcement is likely to anger Beijing, as the People’s Republic of China, based in mainland China, considers Taiwan a renegade province of its own.
