Politics · United States · 2 hrs ago
Democratic Congress may press Trump to speed up Taiwan arms sale
After Democrats won big in the US midterm elections, Congress may press Trump to approve a US$14 billion arms sale to Taiwan.
The package has been on hold for months as Trump has treated it as a possible bargaining tool in talks with China.
Taiwan is self-ruled, while China claims it as its territory and opposes US arms sales to the island.
Analysts expect Congress to push for faster approval and introduce measures showing support for Taiwan, but they do not expect a fundamental shift in broader US policy.
Some lawmakers may also seek to put long-standing US assurances to Taiwan into law.
Taiwan’s officials say they will keep working with both parties in Congress and the US government, and its defence minister says they will stay in contact to help the sales proceed on schedule.
Democratic gains in the US midterm elections could increase pressure on President Donald Trump’s administration to approve a US$14 billion arms package for Taiwan.
The package has been on hold for months, and Trump has described it as a negotiating chip in talks with Beijing.
Analysts expect Congress to press for faster approval and may introduce legislation supporting Taiwan.
Taiwan officials say the island’s relations with the United States are non-partisan and based on bipartisan support.
China opposes US arms sales to Taiwan, which it considers part of its territory.
- Who
- Democratic members of the US Congress may press the Trump administration. Taiwan and the Trump administration are also central to the story.
- What
- Congress may push to speed up approval of a US$14 billion arms sale to Taiwan.
- When
- After the US midterm elections in November 2026.
- Where
- The United States and Taiwan.
- Why
- Analysts say Democratic gains could increase pressure to approve the sale; Trump has treated it as a negotiating chip in talks with Beijing.
US Congress supporters of arms sales to Taiwan
Trump administration
Arms package
US Congress supporters of arms sales to Taiwan
Congress supporters are expected to press for faster approval of the US$14 billion sale.
Trump administration
The administration has slowed the sales and Trump has described the package as a negotiating chip in talks with Beijing.
Policy signals
US Congress supporters of arms sales to Taiwan
Congress may introduce bills supporting Taiwan and could seek to codify the Six Assurances.
Trump administration
Trump’s approach has raised concern among supporters that he could use the sale in negotiations with Beijing.
The US$14 billion arms package to Taiwan had been on hold.
Democratic victories raised the prospect of greater congressional pressure to approve arms sales to Taiwan.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs told The Straits Times that the island’s US relations follow a principle of non-partisan engagement.
- Proposed arms package
- US$14 billion
- Status
- On hold for months
- Potential congressional action
- Pressure to expedite approval and introduce bills supporting Taiwan
- Taiwan’s position
- Relations with the US are based on non-partisan engagement
- China’s position
- Opposes US arms sales to Taiwan
3 sources
What people are saying
A Democratic-controlled Congress will ramp up pressure on Trump to expedite the approval of the US$14 billion arms sale to Taiwan, while introducing various bills to demonstrate support for Taiwan and prevent Trump from ‘selling it out’
I do think that one outcome to the midterm elections could be that Republicans start to break with President Trump on this question, and have... a more independent position on this and do start to raise pressure on the administration to approve those arms sales
We will also continue to communicate with members of Congress, and of course we will maintain close contact with the US Department of War to ensure that these related arms sales proceed on schedule.