Taiwan Urges Swift U.S. Approval of $14 Billion Arms Sale

President William Lai Ching-te told the Taiwan Foreign Correspondents’ Club that Taiwan hopes the United States will approve a $14 billion weapons package “as soon as possible.” He said the request is essential to deter what he described as the main force reshaping the Taiwan Strait’s status quo.

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Beijing maintains Taiwan as its territory and has intensified pressure. The United States, bound by law to provide defensive arms, has placed the $14 billion sale under review. In May, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the deal was “under review.” A senior U.S. military official later said Washington paused the sale to conserve munitions for its war in Iran. Former President Donald Trump called the sale “a very good negotiating chip” with China.

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Taiwan’s 2026 defence budget includes a $40 billion allocation proposed by Lai, but parliament approved only two-thirds, cutting drone and domestic-weapon funds. The defence ministry proposed a T$210 billion (US$6.66 billion) package for surveillance, coastal-attack systems and small unmanned surface drones.

Taiwan not ‘provoking’ China, hopes US arms sale package can be approved soon, president says

• Lai said Taiwan seeks “parity and respect” in any dialogue with China, stressed its democratic way of life is not a provocation, and affirmed the U.S. continues its security commitment; China’s foreign ministry, via spokesperson Lin Jin, called Taiwan “inalienable” Chinese territory and said reunification is an “inevitable historical trend.”

Taiwan not ‘provoking’ China, hopes US arms sale package can be approved soon, president saysAl Jazeera (website)

Beijing dismisses Lai’s outreach as separatist rhetoric and rejects dialogue. The opposition-led parliament’s defence-budget cut shows internal spending debate. Critics note the U.S. pause for Iranian operations may delay Taiwan’s acquisition of the requested systems.

Taiwan not ‘provoking’ China, hopes US arms sale package can be approved soon, president says

Sources differ on the U.S. review: Rubio suggests an ongoing assessment, while a senior military official cites a pause for munitions conservation. No approval timeline is available.

Taiwan not ‘provoking’ China, hopes US arms sale package can be approved soon, president says

• “Taiwan’s safeguarding of its own national security and maintaining its democratic and free way of life, its refusal to accept unification, and its refusal to accept rule by the Chinese Communist Party should not be seen as a provocation against China,” — President William Lai Ching-te

Taiwan not ‘provoking’ China, hopes US arms sale package can be approved soon, president says

• “Still less can they stop the historical trend that China will eventually and inevitably be reunited,” — Lin Jin, spokesperson, Chinese Foreign Ministry

Taiwan not ‘provoking’ China, hopes US arms sale package can be approved soon, president says

• “It is clear that China is the main driving force changing the status quo in the Taiwan Strait and affecting regional peace and stability.” — President William Lai Ching-te

Taiwan not ‘provoking’ China, hopes US arms sale package can be approved soon, president says

• “We will continue to maintain close communication with the U.S. government, and we also hope the arms purchases can be approved as soon as possible.” — President William Lai Ching-te

Taiwan not ‘provoking’ China, hopes US arms sale package can be approved soon, president says

Taiwan will monitor the U.S. review while advancing its special defence package. Lai expects the arms-sale decision to shape upcoming cross-strait diplomatic overtures and regional security calculations.

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