The new package would cover four separate weapons systems and could be worth as much as $20 billion, though officials caution the final figure remains under discussion and could end up closer to the December deal
The United States is preparing a major new arms package for Taiwan that could strain relations with Beijing and potentially jeopardise President Donald Trump’s planned state visit to China in April.
The Trump administration is developing a proposed sale that would include Patriot missile systems and other advanced weapons, following a record $11.1 billion arms package announced in December, according to a report by the Financial Times.
The new package would cover four separate weapons systems and could be worth as much as $20 billion, though officials caution the final figure remains under discussion and could end up closer to the December deal.
Beijing has privately warned Washington that moving forward with the arms sale could derail Trump’s anticipated meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The issue was raised directly by
Xi during a phone call with Trump on Wednesday, according to China’s foreign ministry, which said Xi urged the US to handle arms sales to Taiwan “with prudence.”
Despite the warnings, some US officials believe China is overstating the risk and is unlikely to cancel the visit. The administration had initially planned to notify Congress of the proposed sale this month, though there is growing speculation that Trump may delay formal notification until after his return from China.
In addition to Patriot missile systems, which are designed to intercept incoming missiles, the package would allow Taiwan to purchase additional NASAMS air defence systems, along with two other weapons platforms. The move underscores Washington’s continued military support for Taipei even as it seeks to manage heightened tensions with Beijing ahead of a sensitive diplomatic engagement.
Meanwhile,
Taiwan welcomed Trump’s call with his Chinese counterpart, saying it will help “stabilise” the region as China increases military pressure on the island.
“We don’t worry too much about this whole telephone communication,” Chen told AFP, describing the US-Taiwan relationship as “very solid and strong”.
“In fact, we believe that it will contribute to stabilise the situation, especially given the fact that China keeps on escalating the tension in the Taiwan Strait and this whole region,” he said.
With inputs from agencies
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