A bipartisan group of U.S. senators is urging President Donald Trump to move forward with a delayed $14 billion arms package for Taiwan ahead of his upcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The lawmakers warned the administration not to weaken U.S. support for Taiwan during broader negotiations with China.
What Happened
According to a report by The New York Times, eight senators from both parties sent a letter to President Trump pressing him to formally notify Congress about the Taiwan weapons package, which has reportedly been delayed for months.
The lawmakers argued that Taiwan’s recent approval of a $25 billion defense spending plan removes any remaining justification for postponing the sale.
The package includes defensive weapons systems, anti-drone technology, and medium-range munitions intended to strengthen Taiwan’s ability to deter military threats from China.
Administration officials reportedly delayed the package to avoid disrupting Trump’s scheduled summit with Xi Jinping later this week.
Bipartisan Pressure on the White House
Senators Demand Strong Taiwan Support
The bipartisan letter included signatures from Democratic Senators Jeanne Shaheen, Chris Coons, Elissa Slotkin, Tammy Duckworth, Andy Kim, and Jacky Rosen, along with Republican Senators Thom Tillis and John Curtis.
The senators warned against allowing Taiwan to become part of broader diplomatic negotiations with Beijing.
“American support for Taiwan is not up for negotiation,” the lawmakers wrote.
The group emphasized that U.S. credibility and regional security depend on maintaining strong support for Taiwan amid growing military pressure from China.
Taiwan Approves Major Defense Budget
Taiwan’s legislature recently approved a $25 billion special defense budget designed to strengthen deterrence capabilities against Beijing.
Officials in Taiwan said much of the funding will be used to purchase American-made defensive systems.
The approval followed internal political debates in Taiwan as well as increasing military pressure from China around the island.
Growing U.S.-China Tensions
Trump-Xi Meeting Under Scrutiny
The delayed Taiwan arms sale comes at a sensitive moment in U.S.-China relations as Trump prepares for talks with Xi Jinping.
Some lawmakers and analysts fear the administration may soften its Taiwan policy to improve diplomatic or economic negotiations with Beijing.
China considers Taiwan part of its territory and has repeatedly threatened to reunify the island by force if necessary.
Chinese officials strongly criticized recent U.S. congressional visits to Taiwan and continue opposing official interactions between American and Taiwanese leaders.
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Concerns Over White House Strategy
While support for Taiwan has traditionally received bipartisan backing in Congress, some lawmakers have become increasingly concerned about what they describe as mixed signals from the Trump administration.
The White House previously approved the framework for the arms package, but the final congressional notification process has remained stalled inside the State Department.
Lawmakers argue that delays could weaken deterrence efforts at a time when China has intensified military operations near Taiwan.
What Happens Next
The Trump administration must formally transmit the Taiwan arms package to Congress before the sale can proceed.
With Trump’s summit with Xi Jinping approaching, the issue is expected to remain a key test of the administration’s approach to China and Indo-Pacific security.
If approved, the package would significantly strengthen Taiwan’s defense capabilities while reinforcing long-standing U.S. commitments in the region.
The debate also highlights growing pressure on the White House from both parties in Congress to maintain a firm stance against Chinese military expansion.
Senators want the administration to approve a delayed $14 billion weapons package to strengthen Taiwan’s defenses against China.
Officials reportedly delayed the package ahead of Trump’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping to avoid diplomatic tensions.