Taipei, Taiwan. Taiwan Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Ming-chi said U.S. arms sales to Taiwan are a cornerstone of regional stability and are confirmed under U.S. law. His comments followed President Donald Trump’s statement that he had not decided on future weapons sales.
Trump comments add uncertainty
Despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties, the United States is Taiwan’s most important international backer, and Washington is bound by the Taiwan Relations Act to provide weapons to the island, which China claims as its territory. After meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, Trump said he had not decided whether to proceed with a major weapons sale, raising uncertainty about U.S. support.
Taiwan cites Taiwan Relations Act
Speaking to reporters in Taipei, Chen said U.S. arms sales are confirmed under the Taiwan Relations Act. He said Taiwan-U.S. arms sales have long been a cornerstone of regional peace and stability.
Pending arms package and Taiwan defence spending
In December, the Trump administration approved a record $11 billion arms sale package for Taiwan. Reuters has reported a second package, worth about $14 billion, that still awaits Trump’s approval. Chen declined to comment on the reported second package because it has not been made public, and said Taiwan would continue to communicate with the United States and understand the situation from the U.S. side.
Taiwan’s government has faced obstacles in the opposition-controlled parliament in efforts to pass $40 billion in additional defence spending. Earlier this month, parliament approved two-thirds of the requested amount and specified it was for U.S. arms.
Lawmakers and analysts weigh in
U.S. Republican and Democratic lawmakers have urged the Trump administration to continue weapons sales. Kuo Yu-ren, vice president of the Institute for Policy Research, a Taiwan think tank, said Trump might delay approving the new package until after late September, when he has invited Xi to visit the United States.
How do you think uncertainty over U.S. arms sales affects Taiwan’s defence planning?
