Taiwan sees continued US arms support after midterms
· Security · Taiwan · United States
Taiwan's Defence Minister Wellington Koo said Thursday that Taiwan has always enjoyed cross-party US support and that Congress will continue helping strengthen Taipei's defence capabilities, when asked about arms sales following the US midterm elections. The comments came amid reports that greater pressure to speed up arms sales to Taiwan is possible after the midterms. While US President Donald Trump last December approved US$11 billion in arms for Taiwan, a second package worth about US$14 billion has stalled.
Why it matters：Taiwan's arms pipeline is a barometer of US commitment in Asia and of how a Democratic Congress may handle China policy.
Key points
- Defence Minister Wellington Koo said US support remains cross-party.
- Trump approved $11 billion in arms for Taiwan last December.
- A second package worth about $14 billion has stalled.