Washington, September 20, 2025 (Agencies) – US President Donald Trump has reportedly declined to authorize a major weapons package for Taiwan, valued at over $400 million, according to a report published by the Washington Post.
Citing five individuals familiar with the matter, the report suggests that the decision is linked to Trump’s ongoing efforts to negotiate a trade agreement with Beijing and a potential meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, expected to take place on the sidelines of the upcoming APEC summit in South Korea.
The proposed defense package was described as “more lethal” than previous arms deliveries to Taipei. However, sources close to the administration indicated that Trump’s team views Taiwan’s defense procurement as its own responsibility, reflecting the president’s transactional approach to foreign policy. A White House official noted that the final decision is still pending.
Beijing, which considers Taiwan an inseparable part of its territory, has consistently opposed foreign military assistance to the island. President Xi has reiterated China’s preference for peaceful reunification, while maintaining the right to use force if necessary.
In a statement issued last December, the Chinese Foreign Ministry warned that “relying on the US to seek independence and using military means to pursue independence is a path to self-destruction.”
While the Taiwanese Defense Ministry declined to comment directly on the report, it reaffirmed that “Taiwan and the US maintain a close security cooperation mechanism, with all exchange programs carried out on schedule to build a comprehensive defense system.”
The US has approved multiple arms sales to Taiwan in recent years, including the delivery of NASAMS air-defense missile systems, as part of its broader commitment to regional security.