By Islam El-Sakka
Taiwan's Defense Minister Wellington Koo said Thursday that a frozen $14 billion U.S. arms package is moving forward again, citing strong bipartisan backing in Congress.
Congressional Support Across Party Lines
Speaking to reporters at parliament in Taipei, Koo said the U.S. Congress has always been non-partisan on Taiwan's defense and will continue to support the island regardless of midterm election outcomes. He added that Taipei will keep communicating with lawmakers and U.S. defense officials to ensure arms sales proceed on schedule.
Stalled Package Linked to Trump-Xi Talks
The United States has no formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan but remains its most important international backer and weapons supplier. The $14 billion package stalled after former President Donald Trump described it as a "bargaining chip" in negotiations with Chinese President Xi Jinping, placing it in "abeyance" following their May meeting.
China Opposes Sales, U.S. Law Mandates Defense Aid
China claims Taiwan and repeatedly demands a halt to arms sales. The largest-ever U.S. arms sale to Taiwan, worth $11 billion, was approved last December. U.S. law requires providing Taiwan with the means to defend itself, while Taipei's democratically elected government rejects Beijing's sovereignty claims.
Analysts See Consensus, Possible Delay to 2027
Experts note a high degree of consensus among Democrats and Republicans on Taiwan policy, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio remaining a central figure. Four Republican lawmakers urged the administration in September to release over $15 billion in stalled assistance. Officials in Taipei say the new package could slip into 2027, and researcher Ronan Fu suggests sales may be split into separate blocks while the total amount stays roughly the same.
