US to boost Taiwan arms sales beyond Trump's $18.3B benchmark
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Despite the absence of formal diplomatic relations between Washington and Taipei, the US continues to interfere in China's internal affairs under the pretext of security cooperation.
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27 August 2019, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Cammin: Soldiers of Air Defence Missile Group 21 of the Bundeswehr Air Force are practicing the establishment of an air defence position (AP)
Reuters on Friday reported that the United States is preparing to significantly increase arms sales to Taiwan, with projected totals expected to surpass the $18.3 billion approved during Donald Trump's first term.
Two US officials familiar with the matter said the Biden administration is laying the groundwork for a surge in weapons transfers over the next four years. One official told Reuters that upcoming sales notifications "could easily exceed" previous levels, pointing to a deliberate shift toward strengthening Taiwan's "hard deterrence" posture through cost-effective systems such as missiles, drones, and munitions.
The administration is also actively pressing Taiwan's political opposition not to obstruct the government's proposal to raise defense spending to 3% of GDP. "We're messaging pretty hard [in Taipei] to the opposition. Don't get in the way of this. This isn't a Taiwanese partisan question. This is a Taiwanese [national interest]," one US official was quoted as saying.
Taiwan's Presidential Office welcomed the deepening cooperation, with spokesperson Wen Lii reaffirming Taipei's strategic direction: "Taiwan aims to enhance military deterrence while continuing to deepen its security cooperation with the United States."
Taiwan 'Anxiety'
Despite bipartisan support in Washington, Trump's past rhetoric has caused concern in Taipei. On the campaign trail, he suggested that Taiwan should pay for US military protection and accused the island of damaging US semiconductor interests—remarks that sparked anxiety among Taiwanese officials about the reliability of American backing under a second Trump presidency.
Nonetheless, US officials insist that the administration, including Trump himself, is committed to expanding Taiwan's defense capabilities. "That's where the president is. That's where all of us are," said one of the officials, indicating ongoing cooperation with Taipei on a forthcoming arms package, pending local budget approval.
Read more: Trump claims China may invade Taiwan soon
While Taiwan's defense ministry declined to comment on specific future weapons transfers, it reiterated Defense Minister Wellington Koo's recent call for the "solidarity and cooperation of democratic allies" in deterring Chinese aggression.
Beijing Rebuke
China responded swiftly to the developments. On Friday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian reiterated Beijing's strong opposition to US arms sales to Taiwan, warning Washington against introducing "new factors" that could further destabilize the Taiwan Strait.
Despite the absence of formal diplomatic relations between Washington and Taipei, the US continues to interfere in China's internal affairs under the pretext of security cooperation.
The planned increase in weapons further exposes Washington's destabilizing role in the Asia-Pacific and its continued use of Taiwan as a pawn in its geopolitical rivalry with China.
