Taiwan urges faster US approval of $14 billion weapons package amid China tensions

Taiwan’s representative in the United States, Alexander Yui, expressed optimism that President Donald Trump will ultimately sign off on a $14 billion arms package that has been stalled. Yui highlighted that the United States has reiterated its unchanged policy toward Taiwan and that air-defence equipment dominates the pending sale. A senior official in the Trump administration, speaking anonymously, indicated a decision is expected in the near term, though the delay has been tied to broader Middle-East concerns.

Meanwhile, Chinese officials have worked to keep references to the 1951 Treaty of San Francisco off the agenda during Trump-Xi meetings, underscoring Beijing’s sensitivity. The episode follows Trump’s earlier claim that arms sales to Taiwan could serve as a negotiating lever with Beijing, and comes as US House Speaker Mike Johnson cited Taiwan’s strategic importance while noting the impact of regional crises on the approval timeline.