Trump Prepares to Approve $14B in Arms Sales to Taiwan

The United States has prepared a major weapons package for Taiwan that includes advanced interceptor missiles.

According to Reuters, the package is already awaiting approval from U.S. President Donald Trump. It may be signed after the American leader’s upcoming visit to China.

The deal is estimated to be worth about $14 billion, which could make it the largest military support package in Taiwan’s history.

Sources familiar with the Trump administration’s position told Reuters that the agreement is being kept confidential ahead of the president’s planned trip to Beijing, where he is expected to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping from March 31 to April 2. The announcement could be made after Trump returns.

In February, Xi Jinping told Trump that arms sales to Taiwan, which Beijing considers part of its territory, should be handled ‘with caution.’

According to one of the sources, the package will primarily consist of surface-to-air missiles for the Patriot missile system and NASAMS air defense systems.

“Once the president gives his approval, everything will be ready for an official announcement. Everything has already been finalized,” the source said.

On December 18, the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump already announced a weapons package for Taiwan worth about $11 billion, aimed at strengthening the island’s defense capabilities.

China sharply criticized the deal. On December 29, several units of the People’s Liberation Army launched military exercises around Taiwan called ‘Justice Mission – 2025.’

This year, Taiwan also plans to significantly strengthen its air defense by ordering nine additional NASAMS systems. The island has already signed a $698.9 million contract to purchase the first three units. The new NASAMS batteries are expected to protect Taiwan’s northern, central, southern, and eastern regions.

There are also plans to consider deploying the systems on the strategically important Penghu Islands archipelago in order to strengthen air defense at medium and low altitudes.

In addition, Taiwan spent more than $6 billion to acquire six PAC-3 systems between 2007 and 2021.