Taiwan expects US military support and weapons sales to continue despite the Democratic Party’s victories in the American midterm elections, with officials expressing confidence that bipartisan support for strengthening the island’s defence capabilities will remain intact.
Taiwanese Defence Minister Wellington Koo said on Thursday that support for Taiwan’s security has historically crossed party lines in Washington and that he does not expect the change in congressional control to derail existing defence cooperation.
Speaking to reporters in Taipei, Koo said Taiwan would continue engaging with members of the US Congress and maintain close communication with the US Department of War to ensure that planned arms sales proceed as scheduled.
$14 Billion Weapons Package Remains on Hold
The announcement comes as Taiwan awaits approval of a proposed $14 billion US arms package that has been delayed by the Trump administration.
President Donald Trump previously approved an $11 billion weapons package for Taiwan in December 2025, marking the largest arms sale to the island at the time. However, the additional $14 billion package remains stalled after Trump described it as a potential bargaining tool in negotiations with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The proposed package is particularly important to Taiwan’s efforts to strengthen its air defence systems and military preparedness amid growing tensions with Beijing. Reports indicate that the package could include Patriot air defence missiles, advanced radar systems and command-and-control technology.
China’s Opposition Adds to Regional Tensions
China considers Taiwan part of its territory and has repeatedly opposed American arms sales to the island, warning Washington against military cooperation with Taipei.
Taiwan, however, maintains that its democratically elected government has the right to defend itself and rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims.
The United States remains Taiwan’s most important international security partner and is legally required under its domestic legislation to provide the island with defensive capabilities.
Despite the political changes in Washington, analysts believe bipartisan congressional support for Taiwan is likely to remain strong. However, the stalled weapons package could face further delays and potentially be divided into smaller deliveries, with some assessments suggesting implementation could extend into 2027.
Taipei’s position reflects its determination to maintain close defence ties with Washington while navigating the increasingly complex relationship between the United States and China.
The future of the $14 billion weapons package will remain an important test of Trump’s approach to Taiwan, particularly as Washington balances its security commitments with diplomatic and trade relations with Beijing.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
