US strengthens military support for Taiwan with $10b arms package amid rising China tensions

The Trump administration has approved a massive $10 billion arms package for Taiwan , including long-range missiles, howitzers, and drones. This marks the largest single US arms sale to the island in decades and comes amid rising tensions with China , which immediately condemned the move.

The State Department announced the sale late Wednesday, during a televised address by President Trump, who did not mention Taiwan or China directly. Under the Taiwan Relations Act, passed in 1979 , the US is obliged to assist Taiwan in maintaining its self-defence capabilities. Officials said the package will help Taiwan modernize its armed forces and maintain a credible deterrent against potential aggression.

The package includes 82 High-Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and 420 Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) valued at over $4 billion, along with 60 self-propelled howitzer systems also worth more than $4 billion. It further comprises drones exceeding $1 billion in value, military software over $1 billion, Javelin and TOW missiles at $700 million, helicopter spare parts worth $96 million, and Harpoon missile refurbishment kits valued at $91 million.

Experts say this deal is significantly larger than previous US arms sales to Taiwan, such as the $2.2 billion F-16 and Patriot missile package in 2019 and the $1.8 billion ground defense deal in 2020. Unlike earlier packages, this deal covers multiple defense layers, including land, air, and surveillance, demonstrating a stronger US commitment to Taiwan’s security.

China reacted angrily. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said the sale violates US-China diplomatic agreements and undermines China’s sovereignty. He accused Taiwan independence forces of using the arms to resist reunification and warned that the package could accelerate tensions in the Taiwan Strait, increasing the risk of military confrontation. China also accused the US of attempting to contain China using Taiwan.

Taiwan welcomed the package. The Defence Ministry said it will enhance the island’s self-defence and deterrence capabilities, while Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung described US support as critical for maintaining regional security. Taiwan plans to increase defence spending to 3.3 per cent of GDP next year, aiming for 5 per cent by 2030. President Lai Ching-te has also announced a $40 billion arms budget over eight years, including the construction of the Taiwan Dome air defence system.

The arms sale comes after Congress passed the National Defence Authorization Act, expected to be signed by Trump, which China criticized as unfairly targeting it as an aggressor.

The $10 billion package is the largest US arms sale to Taiwan, significantly boosting its defensive and deterrence capabilities. It also signals a clear US commitment to support Taiwan against increasing Chinese pressure. For China, the deal represents a direct challenge, heightening the risk of tensions and potential conflict in the Taiwan Strait.