The massive Taiwan arms package approved by the United States is drawing fierce condemnation from Beijing, which warns the historic deal could push the region toward open conflict.
China blasted Washington after the State Department approved an $11.1 billion weapons sale to Taiwan, calling it a dangerous escalation that risks turning the island into a “powder keg.” The unprecedented package includes 82 HIMARS launchers, 420 long-range ATACMS missiles, self-propelled howitzers, advanced unmanned systems, military software and anti-armor weapons — capabilities that would give Taiwan new deep-strike reach across the Taiwan Strait.
Beijing accused Taiwan’s leadership of pursuing independence through force while portraying the U.S. as exploiting the island to contain China. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said, “The ‘Taiwan independence’ forces on the island seek independence through force and resist reunification through force, squandering the hard-earned money of the people to purchase weapons at the cost of turning Taiwan into a powder keg.”
He warned the sale “will only accelerate the push of the Taiwan Strait toward a dangerous situation of military confrontation and war,” adding that U.S. support for Taiwan independence “will only end up backfiring.”
U.S. officials argue the Taiwan arms sale strengthens deterrence. In its notification to Congress, the State Department said the weapons would advance “U.S. national, economic, and security interests” and help Taiwan “maintain a credible defensive capability.” The department added the package would “help improve the security of the recipient and assist in maintaining political stability, military balance and economic progress in the region.”
The deal now enters a 30-day congressional review period. Analysts expect Beijing to respond with military signaling, as China has done following previous arms sales.
Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung thanked Washington for its “long-term support for regional security and Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities,” calling them essential to deterring conflict across the strait.
