Taiwanese officials are closely monitoring the three-day state visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Washington, expressing confidence that U.S. arms sales to the island will continue. The diplomatic engagement comes as Beijing continues to press the Trump administration to halt military transfers to the self-ruled democracy, which China claims as its own territory.
Maj. Gen. Chiao Fu-chun, spokesperson for the Taiwanese Defense Ministry, stated in Tainan that Taipei remains in close contact with the U.S. Department of War to ensure that arms procurement deals proceed as planned. These sales are underpinned by U.S. law, which mandates providing Taiwan with the means for self-defense, according to ClickOrlando.
The issue of arms sales has fluctuated in the past; following a May summit between Trump and Xi in Beijing, the U.S. paused a $14 billion package, with Trump at the time labeling such sales a “negotiating chip.” However, the U.S. subsequently approved an $11 billion package in December. To demonstrate its own defense efforts, the Taiwanese military conducted live-fire drills on Wednesday, showcasing “The Cheetah,” a domestically developed eight-wheeled armored vehicle designed for urban warfare.
President Trump has consistently pressed Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te to increase defense spending. Taiwan’s defense budget is projected to exceed 3% of its GDP in 2027, with a pledge from the administration to reach 5% by 2030.