US Approves First Taiwan Arms Sale Under Trump’s New Term, Valued at $330 Million

The United States has approved a $330 million package of parts and equipment for Taiwan’s military aircraft — the first such sale since President Donald Trump returned to the White House, Taiwan’s foreign ministry said Friday.

Washington does not recognize Taiwan as a sovereign state but remains its largest arms supplier and a crucial counterweight to Beijing, which claims the island as its own territory and has not ruled out the use of force.

The US State Department approved Taiwan’s request for “non-standard components, spare and repair parts, consumables and accessories, and repair and return support” for its F-16, C-130 and Indigenous Defense Fighter (IDF) fleets, according to the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency.

President Lai Ching-te’s administration has pledged to boost defense spending as China continues to ramp up military activity around the island. Although Taiwan is building up its domestic defense industry, it would be vastly outgunned in any conflict with China and remains heavily dependent on US weaponry.