Reuters: US Senators Write to Lawmakers, Say Washington to Approve Taiwan Arms Sale Within Weeks
Bipartisan US senators sent a letter to Taiwanese lawmakers indicating that Washington is likely to approve pending arms sales within weeks, urging Taiwan to expedite defense spending legislation against Chinese pressure.
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- 📰 Published: April 17, 2026 at 00:24
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Central News
(CNA Washington, 16th, Comprehensive Foreign Dispatch) Reuters reported that bipartisan U.S. senators sent a letter to Taiwanese lawmakers on the 14th pointing out that the U.S. is very likely to approve several pending arms sales within the coming weeks. The letter urged Taiwan to expedite legislation on special budgets for military procurement in the face of Chinese pressure.
The report noted that the letter was sent before U.S. President Donald Trump's planned visit to China on May 14-15. As Trump strives to reach a favorable trade deal with Chinese President Xi Jinping, concerns have arisen in both the US and Taiwan that Washington's military support for democratic Taiwan might be scaled back.
In the letter seen by Reuters, Jeanne Shaheen, the leading Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, wrote: "The U.S. Congress has a steadfast commitment to delivering critical capabilities to Taiwan in a timely manner. We expect pending arms sales to be announced in the coming weeks."
Democratic Senator Jacky Rosen of Nevada, Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina, and Republican Senator John Curtis of Utah also signed the letter.
The senators addressed the letter on the 14th to Han Kuo-yu, President of the Legislative Yuan from the Kuomintang (KMT), and senior caucus members of other political parties in Taiwan's legislature.
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te proposed a $40 billion (approx. NT$1.25 trillion) additional defense budget spanning eight years last year to counter China, but it was blocked by the KMT-led opposition camp, which pushed a KMT version with a reduced scale.
U.S. lawmakers have repeatedly urged Taiwan's legislature to advance defense spending. The letter reiterated the importance of "not only purchasing U.S. equipment but also accelerating domestic production of asymmetric warfare capabilities."
Xi Jinping told Trump in February that arms sales to Taiwan must be handled "cautiously," and Xi is expected to press the issue of Taiwan during Trump's visit to China.
However, the Trump administration still announced a massive $11 billion arms sale to Taiwan in December last year.
Reuters reported in March, citing multiple sources, that a large arms package to Taiwan covering advanced interceptor missiles was prepared for Trump's approval, potentially to be signed after his visit to China. Valued at approximately $14 billion, this would be the largest-ever arms sale to Taiwan.
Trump originally planned to visit Beijing to meet Xi Jinping from March 31 to April 2, but the trip has been postponed to mid-May. (Compiled by: Ho Hung-ju, Chen Yen-chun) 1150416
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(CNA Washington, 16th, Comprehensive Foreign Dispatch) Reuters reported that bipartisan U.S. senators sent a letter to Taiwanese lawmakers on the 14th pointing out that the U.S. is very likely to approve several pending arms sales within the coming weeks. The letter urged Taiwan to expedite legislation on special budgets for military procurement in the face of Chinese pressure.
The report noted that the letter was sent before U.S. President Donald Trump's planned visit to China on May 14-15. As Trump strives to reach a favorable trade deal with Chinese President Xi Jinping, concerns have arisen in both the US and Taiwan that Washington's military support for democratic Taiwan might be scaled back.
In the letter seen by Reuters, Jeanne Shaheen, the leading Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, wrote: "The U.S. Congress has a steadfast commitment to delivering critical capabilities to Taiwan in a timely manner. We expect pending arms sales to be announced in the coming weeks."
Democratic Senator Jacky Rosen of Nevada, Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina, and Republican Senator John Curtis of Utah also signed the letter.
The senators addressed the letter on the 14th to Han Kuo-yu, President of the Legislative Yuan from the Kuomintang (KMT), and senior caucus members of other political parties in Taiwan's legislature.
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te proposed a $40 billion (approx. NT$1.25 trillion) additional defense budget spanning eight years last year to counter China, but it was blocked by the KMT-led opposition camp, which pushed a KMT version with a reduced scale.
U.S. lawmakers have repeatedly urged Taiwan's legislature to advance defense spending. The letter reiterated the importance of "not only purchasing U.S. equipment but also accelerating domestic production of asymmetric warfare capabilities."
Xi Jinping told Trump in February that arms sales to Taiwan must be handled "cautiously," and Xi is expected to press the issue of Taiwan during Trump's visit to China.
However, the Trump administration still announced a massive $11 billion arms sale to Taiwan in December last year.
Reuters reported in March, citing multiple sources, that a large arms package to Taiwan covering advanced interceptor missiles was prepared for Trump's approval, potentially to be signed after his visit to China. Valued at approximately $14 billion, this would be the largest-ever arms sale to Taiwan.
Trump originally planned to visit Beijing to meet Xi Jinping from March 31 to April 2, but the trip has been postponed to mid-May. (Compiled by: Ho Hung-ju, Chen Yen-chun) 1150416
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The text, images, and audio/video of this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and utilized without authorization.