Taiwan Vows to Advance US Arms Sales Ahead of Trump-Xi Meeting

Taiwan will maintain close communication with the United States to ensure planned arms sales move forward, a defence ministry official said Wednesday, as US President Donald Trump prepares to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington.

Taiwan Defence Ministry deputy spokesperson Chiao Fu-chun said Taipei would continue working with US officials on weapons purchases despite Beijing’s longstanding opposition to American military support for the democratically governed island.

China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has repeatedly called on Washington to halt arms sales. Trump approved an $11 billion weapons package for Taiwan in December, the largest such package to date. However, after visiting Beijing in May, Trump said another package worth about $14 billion had been placed on hold.

Xi is expected to raise the issue of US arms sales to Taiwan during his meeting with Trump this week.

Speaking during a media visit in Tainan, Chiao said maintaining peace and stability across the Indo-Pacific remains a shared interest among democratic countries. He noted that the US government and Congress have repeatedly backed Taiwan’s ability to defend itself.

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te has also supported Trump’s push for US allies and partners to increase defence spending. Although Washington remains Taipei’s most important weapons supplier, Taiwan has expanded its domestic defence industry, developing submarines, fighter aircraft and long-range missiles.

Taiwan’s military on Wednesday demonstrated a domestically produced eight-wheeled armoured combat vehicle equipped with a 105mm gun during live-fire exercises. The army also displayed US-made weapons, including Lockheed Martin HIMARS rocket systems, although they were not fired during the demonstration.

The drills come amid continued military pressure from Beijing. China has not ruled out using force to assert control over Taiwan, while Chinese military aircraft and vessels regularly operate around the island.

Taiwan’s government rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claim and maintains that the island’s future should be determined by its people.