Trump Administration Approves Massive Arms Sale Package to Taiwan

Latest Developments

Bolstering Defense Against China: The Trump administration approved the possible sale of more than $10 billion worth of arms to Taiwan to bolster the island’s defenses against ongoing threats from China. The package of eight sales includes 82 high-mobility artillery rocket systems (HIMARS), 420 Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), 60 self-propelled howitzer systems and related equipment, loitering munitions, Javelin and TOW anti-tank missiles, spare parts for helicopters, maintenance support and equipment for Harpoon missiles, and command-and-control software. If approved by Congress, the package will exceed the $8.4 billion in arms sales to Taiwan during the Biden administration.
China Responds With Anger: The State Department asserted that the “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 announcement drew an angry response from China, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun declaring that the package “cannot save the doomed fate of ‘Taiwan independence’ but will only accelerate the push of the Taiwan Strait toward a dangerous situation of military confrontation and war.” Meanwhile, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry stated that the package would help Taiwan maintain “sufficient self-defense capabilities.”
China’s Military Deployments Continue: China has flexed its military muscles across the region on a near-daily basis over the past month. Taiwan’s Defense Ministry reported 40 Chinese military aircraft and eight naval vessels detected near Taiwan within 24 hours of December 18, as well as the sailing of the Fujian aircraft carrier through the Taiwan Strait two days earlier.

FDD Expert Response

“This is a much-needed effort. The United States is the only country willing to routinely sell military equipment to Taiwan. If Taiwan is going to increase its defense spending to the numbers President Trump likes — say 5 percent of GDP by 2030 — then Washington needs to approve significant foreign military sales packages in 2025 and 2026. This package is full of weapons that will make a Chinese lodgment on Taiwan difficult to execute and sustain.” — RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, Senior Fellow and Senior Director of FDD’s Center on Cyber and Technology

“This is an enormous and laudable arms sale that can help make Taiwan a steel porcupine so that the predator in Beijing thinks twice. Beijing’s unhappiness with the announcement is not surprising. Predators prefer that their prospective prey remains weak. Now, the administration, Congress, and industry should be moving heaven and earth to expedite delivery.” — Bradley Bowman, Senior Director of FDD’s Center on Military and Political Power

“The new military aid package, if approved by Congress, will significantly enhance Taiwan’s deterrence efforts. During a period of rising tensions, as China has threatened Japan, engaged in major military exercises in the waters around the island, and paraded its newest aircraft carrier through the strait, the sales will signal Washington’s steadfast commitment to regional peace and security.” — Jack Burnham, Research Analyst