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Started 1 week ago · Updated 4 days ago

Taiwan Urges Continued US Arms Support Amidst Uncertainty Over Sales

Taiwan has emphasized the critical need for ongoing US arms deliveries, stating that such cooperation is mandated by American law and contributes to regional deterrence. This comes after US President Donald Trump indicated uncertainty regarding future weapons sales to the island, which China claims as its territory. Taiwan's Presidential Office spokesperson Karen Kuo asserted that China's growing military pressure is the sole destabilizing factor in the Indo-Pacific.

• US President Donald Trump stated he had not made a decision on a major pending weapons package for Taiwan, raising concerns in Taipei.
• Taiwan's Presidential Office spokesperson Karen Kuo highlighted that US-Taiwan arms sales are Washington's legal obligation under the Taiwan Relations Act and serve as a shared deterrent.
• A second arms package for Taiwan, reportedly worth around $14 billion, is still awaiting approval.
• Taiwan's proposed additional defense spending of around $40 billion has faced delays in the opposition-controlled legislature.
• The US has temporarily halted a $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan to secure its own stockpile for military operations related to Iran.