Media: US pushes Taiwan defence spending as military sales set to surge

The United States plans to significantly increase weapons sales to Taiwan over the next four years, surpassing the volume approved during President Donald Trump’s first term, two US officials said.

The move aims to bolster Taiwan’s defence capabilities amid escalating military pressure from China, which claims the democratic island as its own territory, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

The officials, speaking anonymously, said US arms sales notifications to Taiwan could “easily exceed” those during Trump’s initial presidency. The first Trump administration approved approximately $18.3 billion worth of arms sales to Taiwan, compared with around $8.4 billion under President Joe Biden.

Officials also revealed efforts to pressure Taiwan’s opposition parties not to block the government’s plan to increase defence spending to 3 per cent of the island’s budget. One US official emphasized the urgency: “We're messaging pretty hard (in Taipei) to the opposition. Don't get in the way of this. This isn't a Taiwanese partisan question. This is a Taiwanese survival question.”

Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and President Lai Ching-te seek to raise defence spending through a special budget this year. However, opposition parties Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People's Party (TPP) have pushed for budget cuts, sparking concern in Washington over Taiwan’s commitment to its own defence.

Alexander Huang, director of the KMT’s international department, affirmed his party’s support for increased defence funding, stating, “Supporting an increased budget does not mean serving as a rubber stamp, nor does it preclude making adjustments or engaging in negotiations regarding the special budget proposals put forth by the DPP administration.”

Taiwan’s Presidential Office spokesperson Wen Lii said, “Taiwan aims to enhance military deterrence while continuing to deepen its security cooperation with the United States.”

China has vowed to “reunify” Taiwan by force if necessary, while Taiwan insists only its people can determine the island’s future. The planned arms sales are expected to focus on missiles, munitions, and drones—cost-effective tools designed to strengthen Taiwan’s defences against China’s larger military.

Regarding Taiwan’s President Lai possibly transiting through the US, one official said the Trump administration “would not object,” though Taiwan’s office stated there are “no plans for a presidential transit through the United States at the moment.”

By Vafa Guliyeva