After Trump indicated indecision about new sales, Taiwanese government says military supplies are based on the Taiwan Relations Law
The Taiwanese government stated that the supply of weapons by the United States is based on American law. The statement was made this Saturday (May 16, 2026) after the president (Republican Party) told the press on Friday (May 15, 2026) that about future arms sales to the island.
The spokesperson for the Taiwanese Executive,issued a reiterating the government’s position on the supply of weapons. Kuo declared that China’s growing military threat represents the “only destabilizing factor” in the Indo-Pacific region, including the Taiwan Strait.
“Furthermore, military sales between Taiwan and the US are not only a reflection of the US security commitment to Taiwan as stipulated in the Taiwan Relations Law, but also serve as a mutual deterrent against regional threats,” said the spokeswoman.
According to Kuo, Taiwan is grateful to Trump for his long-standing and continuous support for security in the Taiwan Strait.
Taiwan Relations Law
The island is democratically governed and claimed by China as part of its territory. For thethe US must “provide weapons of a defensive nature and maintain the ability to resist any resort to force or other forms of coercion that may endanger the security or social or economic system of the people of Taiwan”.
The United States is Taiwan’s main international supporter. In December 2025, the Trump administration an arms sales package to Taiwan worth US$11 billion. According to the news agency, there is a 2nd package awaiting Trump’s approval, estimated at US$14 billion.
