Taiwan says US arms sales remain unchanged, $14b package still on hold
Koo said US officials had assured him that Washington’s policy towards Taiwan remained unchanged.
Taiwan's defence minister said today (29 September) that existing US arms sales to the island remain unchanged, although a record $14 billion package remains on hold.
Defence Minister Wellington Koo said Taiwan is continuing discussions with the United States on individual arms deals and has received no notice of any changes to existing sales or military cooperation.
"As for arms sales, we are in continuous discussions with the Americans on this," Koo told reporters outside Taiwan's Legislative Yuan in Taipei. "We haven't received any notice of any changes to sales or our cooperation."
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Koo said US officials had assured him that Washington's policy towards Taiwan remained unchanged.
He also said 66 advanced F-16V fighter jets ordered by Taiwan have reached a stage of production where they are ready for delivery. The aircraft were originally expected to be delivered in 2024, according to local media, but the programme was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and problems involving the production line.
The comments came amid concerns that US President Donald Trump could suspend arms sales to Taiwan. China has repeatedly called on Washington to stop such sales, including during a May meeting in Beijing between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The United States paused the $14 billion package following that meeting.
US arms sales to Taiwan are a major source of tension between Washington and Beijing. China claims Taiwan as part of its territory, while the United States does not formally recognise the island as an independent country.
Washington, however, maintains close unofficial ties with Taipei and is legally required to help Taiwan maintain its ability to defend itself.
Taiwan says it needs US weapons to strengthen its defences against a possible Chinese attack. China's People's Liberation Army regularly sends military aircraft and naval vessels towards Taiwan.
Analysts expect US arms sales to Taiwan to continue, although some deals could remain delayed in the short term.
"There are two more summits between the US and China scheduled within this year, so I think neither side really wants to break things off, and the Taiwan issue will be put aside temporarily," said Ma Chun-wei, a professor at Tamkang University.
However, Ma said Taiwan remains important from a security perspective and that US arms sales to the island would likely continue.
