Taiwan Defence Minister Wellington Koo on Thursday says the next arms sale package from the United States is on track after the government received a letter of guarantee from Washington, even as the U.S. and Chinese leaders prepare to meet in May.
A major U.S. arms package for Taiwan worth about $14 billion that includes advanced interceptor missiles is ready for U.S. President Donald Trump's approval and could be signed after his upcoming trip to China, Reuters reported this month, citing sources briefed on the discussion.
But Trump has postponed that trip, originally scheduled for early April, due to the Middle East war, and is now due in Beijing 14 and 15 May.
Taiwan, which China views as its own territory, is sure to be a topic, especially after Chinese President Xi Jinping told Trump in a call last month that the U.S. must "carefully" handle arms sales to the democratically-governed island.
Asked by reporters at Taiwan's parliament whether the Trump-Xi meeting would impact U.S. arms sales, Koo said the government had already received a letter of guarantee indicating the U.S. is willing to authorise the next deal.
"We have also been in close communication with the U.S. Department of War's Defense Security Cooperation Agency regarding its willingness to provide and sell this to us, including guidance concerning the items, the amount, and the transaction," he added, without offering details.
The package is still undergoing an internal U.S. review and Taiwan has not received any notification about delays, Koo said.
The U.S. State Department, which generally handles queries about government policy towards Taiwan, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
China has repeatedly demanded Washington end arms sales to Taipei, the last of which in December was worth $11 billion, the largest ever for Taiwan.
Taiwan's opposition-dominated parliament is continuing to debate President Lai Ching-te's $40 billion in extra defence spending, though it has already authorised the government to sign U.S. agreements for four arms sales packages worth some $9 billion before the budget is passed.
Koo said the government was talking to the U.S. about possibly deferring payment or reducing the initial payment given he could not predict when parliament may approve the funds.
The U.S. is Taiwan's most important international backer and weapons supplier, despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties, and is bound by law to provide the island with the means to defend itself.
Taiwan has faced stepped-up Chinese military pressure in recent years, including war games.
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Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 21st of July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 22nd of July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
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The United States has bombed Iran for an 11th consecutive night as the Pentagon says the war’s cost reach $37.5 billion. President Donald Trump threatens a heavy strike on the suspected Pickaxe Mountain nuclear site. Tehran warns that any attack could trigger a wider regional escalation.
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ASEAN foreign ministers opened the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Manila on 21 July, launching four days of talks that run until 24 July. The agenda includes South China Sea tensions, Myanmar’s conflict and growing U.S.-China rivalry.
Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand has renewed calls for an immediate de-escalation and permanent ceasefire in the Middle East while she warned that the humanitarian situation had become "quite grave". Anand also raised concern over tensions in the South China Sea.
Pakistan has asked the U.S. for a $10 billion exchange stabilisation facility, according to a source briefed on the matter. If approved, the funding would bolster the country's foreign exchange reserves and provide a major boost to its cash-strapped economy.
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