Washington, D.C. – The United States has approved a $330 million arms sale to Taiwan, marking the first military agreement with the island nation since President Donald Trump’s return to the White House earlier this year, according to a statement released by Taipei’s Foreign Ministry on Friday.
The ministry stated, “This is the first arms sale to Taiwan announced by the new Trump administration,” following the U.S. State Department’s approval of the deal. The Pentagon confirmed the agreement late Thursday, announcing the sale of aircraft spare parts to Taiwan.
“This proposed sale will enhance the recipient’s ability to meet current and future threats by maintaining the operational readiness of its F-16 and C-130 aircraft fleets,” the Pentagon statement elaborated, adding that other aircraft types would also benefit from the parts.
The agreement comes after President Trump reportedly withheld approval in September for a $400 million military aid package to Taiwan. The timing of this new deal raises questions about the evolving dynamics of U.S.-Taiwan relations.
China maintains that Taiwan is a province of its mainland and has not ruled out the use of force to bring the island under its control. The Taiwanese government strongly objects to Beijing’s sovereignty claims, asserting that the people of Taiwan are the only ones who can determine their future. While Taiwan possesses a private military production sector, its capabilities are dwarfed by the People’s Liberation Army, making it reliant on U.S. military support. The sale underscores the ongoing strategic importance of Taiwan in the region.
President Trump previously indicated that Chinese President Xi Jinping assured him that China would not invade Taiwan during his presidency. The United States maintains formal diplomatic relations with Beijing while sustaining unofficial ties with Taiwan.
