The Trump administration has announced the sale of more than $10 billion in weapons to Taiwan.
The package, if approved by Congress, will be the largest agreement with the U.S. ally, though Taiwan is not formally recognized as an independent state.
The State Department unveiled the deal late Wednesday, during President Trump’s national address from the White House.
The announcement is expected to further strain relations between Washington and Beijing, which have been tense in recent months amid the administration’s renewed tariff agenda and disputes over security and regional influence.
Trump spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping last month, discussing trade, the Russia-Ukraine war, and a potential presidential trip to China next year. According to a readout released by the Chinese Embassy, the leaders also addressed Beijing’s stance on the “Taiwan question.” (RELATED: China Hits Republican Lawmaker With $50B Retaliation Lawsuit)
Since returning to office in January, Trump has offered limited detail on how the United States would respond to potential Chinese military escalation toward Taiwan. Beijing considers the democratically governed island part of its territory and has increased military pressure in recent years.
In October, Chinese state media reported that a group of H-6K bombers and J-10 fighter jets conducted “confrontation drills” near Taiwan shortly before Trump met with Xi in South Korea. Reuters reported that the aircraft flew combat formations and executed simulated strike missions over waters surrounding the island.
Largest Taiwan Arms Package in Years
The newly approved weapons package surpasses the $8.4 billion in arms sales made to Taiwan under the Biden administration, The Hill reports.
In a statement, the State Department said the sale supports U.S. national, economic, and security interests by helping Taiwan modernize its armed forces and maintain “a credible defensive capability.”
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