The United States has announced a major arms sale to Taiwan valued at about $11bn (£8.2bn), one of the largest such packages in recent years, drawing sharp criticism from China.
The proposed deal, unveiled by the Trump administration, includes High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (Himars), self-propelled howitzers, and a range of missiles. It still requires approval from the US Congress and would mark the second arms sale to Taiwan since President Donald Trump returned to the White House in January.
Taiwan’s defence ministry welcomed the announcement, saying the weapons package would help the island rapidly build robust deterrence capabilities amid growing regional tensions.
China, which considers democratically governed Taiwan a breakaway province, condemned the move. Beijing said the sale “severely undermines China’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity,” warning that Washington’s actions could further destabilise the Taiwan Strait.
“The US’s attempt to support independence through force will only backfire,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said, adding that the move would “accelerate the push towards a dangerous and violent situation.”
According to the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the package includes Himars worth around $4bn and self-propelled howitzers valued at another $4bn. If approved, the deal would exceed the combined value of 19 arms sales totalling $8.38bn approved during the previous US administration.
In his first term, President Trump authorised arms sales to Taiwan worth $18.3bn, with the largest single package valued at $8bn.
The US State Department said the latest sale serves Washington’s strategic interests by supporting Taiwan’s efforts to modernise its military and maintain a credible defensive posture.
The announcement comes amid heightened tensions in the region. China has increased military pressure on Taiwan in recent years through drills and frequent incursions near the island. Taiwan, in response, plans to raise defence spending to more than 3% of GDP next year, with a target of 5% by 2030.
Beijing has long vowed to reunify with Taiwan and has not ruled out the use of force, a threat Taipei says it is taking increasingly seriously as regional security tensions continue to rise.
