The United States approved $11 billion-worth of arms to Taiwan, Taipei said Thursday (December 18, 2025), announcing one of the largest weapons packages for the island and prompting an angry backlash from China.
While Washington is traditionally Taiwan's biggest arms supplier, remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump raised doubts about his willingness to defend the democratic island.
Taiwan has ramped up its defence spending in the past decade as China has intensified military pressure, but Mr. Trump's administration has pushed the island to do more to protect itself.
The arms sale announced on Thursday (December 18, 2025), which still needs U.S. Congressional approval, would be the second since Mr. Trump returned to office in January, after a $330 million sale of parts in November.
The latest, much bigger cache features HIMARS rocket systems, howitzers, anti-tank missiles, drones and other equipment, according to Taipei's Foreign Ministry.
