The Trump administration has announced a massive $10 billion arms sale to Taiwan, including medium-range missiles, self-propelled howitzers, drones, and other advanced military equipment, sparking a strong rebuke from Beijing.
The State Department unveiled the package late Wednesday, December 17, coinciding with a nationally televised address by President Donald Trump. The president, however, made only brief remarks about domestic issues and did not discuss China or Taiwan during the speech.
The arms sales consist of eight agreements covering:
- 82 High-Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and 420 Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), valued at more than $4 billion, similar to systems previously supplied to Ukraine.
- 60 self-propelled howitzer systems and related equipment, also exceeding $4 billion in value.
- Drones worth over $1 billion.
- Additional sales include military software ($1 billion), Javelin and TOW missiles ($700 million), helicopter spare parts ($96 million), and Harpoon missile refurbishment kits ($91 million).
In statements issued separately but in near-identical language, the State Department said the sales advance “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 department added, “The proposed sale(s) will help improve the security of the recipient and assist in maintaining political stability, military balance and economic progress in the region.”
China responded sharply. The Foreign Ministry condemned the move as a violation of diplomatic agreements and a threat to regional stability. Spokesperson Guo Jiakun said, “The ‘Taiwan independence’ forces on the island seek independence through force… This 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.”
Under U.S. law, the government is obligated to assist Taiwan in maintaining its self-defense, a point of frequent tension with China, which has threatened to take the island by force if necessary. President Trump has previously suggested that Taiwan should pay the U.S. for such protection.
In Taipei, the announcement was met with gratitude. Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said the sales would help maintain “sufficient self-defense capabilities” and enhance deterrence, which it called “the foundation for maintaining regional peace and stability.” Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that U.S. support is crucial for deterring conflict in the Taiwan Strait.
The arms package aligns with Taiwan’s plans to increase defense spending to 3.3% of GDP next year and 5% by 2030. Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te also announced a $40 billion special budget for arms procurement, including the Taiwan Dome air defense system, to be allocated from 2026 to 2033. However, the president faces challenges in passing the legislation, as opposition lawmakers earlier this month blocked a bill authorizing major weapons purchases and joint programs with the U.S.
The announcement marks the largest U.S. arms package to Taiwan in recent years and comes amid ongoing tensions between Washington and Beijing, particularly over Taiwan’s security and the broader Indo-Pacific region.
Asia Pacific Newslog 