A group of bipartisan US senators urged President Trump to approve a $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan ahead of his upcoming summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, stressing that postponement could encourage Beijing’s aggressive stance and threaten regional stability. The lawmakers emphasized the importance of demonstrating unwavering American commitment to Taiwan’s defense amid mounting Chinese military pressure.
Leading the call were Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Senator Thom Tillis, who highlighted that the arms package—pre-approved by Congress in January 2025—remains yet to be formally notified. The letter underlined Taiwan’s recent legislative endorsement of a $25 billion special defense budget, designed to boost its self-defense capabilities. Much of this spending aims to acquire US equipment, including counter-drone technology, medium-range munitions, and integrated battle command systems tied to the pending arms sales.
The senators cautioned the Trump administration against using Taiwan as bait in broader trade or geopolitical negotiations with China. They urged clear communication to Beijing that American support for Taiwan will not be a bargaining chip. The letter—signed by Democrats and Republicans alike, such as Chris Coons, Tammy Duckworth, and Jacky Rosen—reflects broad congressional backing for strengthening Taiwan’s defense partnership with the US. The lawmakers described this partnership as a vital deterrent, labeling the proposed arms as critical to making any Chinese attempt at invasion prohibitively expensive. Included in the package are drones, anti-ship missiles, radar systems, and naval mines.
Integral to the senators’ appeal was recognition of Taiwan’s political leaders’ unity in passing defense legislation despite intense pressure from Beijing. They urged the US to exhibit equal resolve in moving forward with arms approval, framing the issue as central to American national interests. They also highlighted the potential economic fallout of a Chinese seizure of Taiwan, warning that such an event could trigger global market disruptions, inflation, manufacturing job losses, and a steep rise in living costs affecting US families.