Archive · 7 Oct 2026
Taiwan Says US Defence Commitment Unchanged as Arms Sale Awaits Approval
Taiwan is waiting to find out whether the United States will approve a proposed $14 billion weapons sale.
Taiwan’s defence minister, Wellington Koo, said he had not been told that the sale would be divided into smaller parts.
He said the United States still supports Taiwan’s ability to defend itself.
Taiwanese officials had suggested smaller parts might be less upsetting to China.
President Donald Trump has delayed approving the new sale.
Reports say he has linked the delay to relations and a trade truce with China, and previously called a second package a negotiating chip.
China says it opposes official interactions between Taiwan and the United States.
A US spokesperson said engagement with Taiwan benefits the United States and the wider international community.
Taiwan Defence Minister Wellington Koo said Taipei had received no information that a proposed $14 billion US arms sale would be split into smaller batches.
Koo said Washington had reaffirmed its commitment to help Taiwan strengthen its self-defence capabilities.
Taiwanese officials had previously suggested smaller batches might avoid upsetting Beijing.
President Donald Trump has delayed approval of the proposed package; reports say he cited China ties and described a second package as a negotiating chip.
China reiterated its opposition to official interactions between Taiwan and the United States, while a US spokesperson said engagement with Taiwan benefits the United States and international community.
- Who
- Taiwan Defence Minister Wellington Koo, the United States, China, and President Donald Trump.
- What
- Koo said Taiwan had received no information about splitting a proposed $14 billion US arms sale into smaller batches, while reiterating that US defence support had not changed.
- When
- Koo made the remarks on Tuesday, October 6; the articles do not specify the year.
- Where
- Taipei, Taiwan; Koo spoke in parliament.
- Why
- Taiwanese officials had suggested smaller batches could limit Beijing’s displeasure, while Trump has delayed approval amid efforts to maintain relations and a trade truce with China.
Support for Taiwan engagement and defence
China's objections
US-Taiwan defence ties
Support for Taiwan engagement and defence
Koo said US support for Taiwan's self-defence remained unchanged and that military exchanges help Taiwan's war-preparedness efforts.
China's objections
China opposes official interactions between Taiwan and the United States and has repeatedly called for US arms sales to Taiwan to end.
Proposed arms sale
Support for Taiwan engagement and defence
Taiwanese officials have said splitting the proposed sale into smaller batches could help avoid upsetting Beijing; Koo said he had received no information that this would happen.
China's objections
China opposes the arms sales. Trump has delayed approval of the proposed package amid efforts to maintain relations and a trade truce with China.
- Proposed arms sale
- $14 billion
- Previously approved package
- Trump approved an $11 billion weapons package in December.
- Taiwan defence minister
- Wellington Koo
- Taiwan's statement
- Koo said Taiwan had not received information about separate batches and that US commitments to Taiwan's defence had not changed.
- Approval status
- The proposed package had not received Trump's formal approval; one report says it must be submitted to Congress before moving forward.
- China's position
- China has called for the arms sales to end and reiterated its opposition to official interactions between Taiwan and the United States.
- US position
- A State Department spokesperson said the US commitment to Taiwan continues and described engagement with Taiwan as beneficial.
