Taiwan Says Congress Will Strengthen Defence
Taiwan's defence minister said US lawmakers will keep bolstering the island's defence capabilities as a second $14 billion arms package remains stalled.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Military
Taiwan's Defence Minister Wellington Koo said the US Congress will continue to strengthen Taiwan's defence capabilities, while a second arms sale package worth some $14 billion has stalled. Koo spoke to reporters at parliament in Taipei and said arms sales will proceed on schedule.
Why it matters
The United States is Taiwan's most important international backer and weapons supplier, though the two lack formal diplomatic ties. China has repeatedly called for arms sales to Taiwan to stop, and US law requires providing Taiwan the means to defend itself, making the status of the stalled package a significant point of tension.
Trump approved $11 billion in arms for Taiwan in December 2025, the largest sale ever for the island. A second package worth some $14 billion has stalled, and in September four Republicans urged release of more than $15 billion in stalled national security assistance.
The players
Wellington Koo
Wellington Koo is Taiwan's Defence Minister, who spoke to reporters at parliament in Taipei about the status of US arms sales.
Donald Trump
Donald Trump is the current President of the United States, who approved $11 billion in arms for Taiwan and is holding a second $14 billion package in abeyance.
Xi Jinping
Xi Jinping is the leader of China, whom Trump met in May before calling the second arms package a bargaining chip.
The details
Trump called the $14 billion package a bargaining chip after meeting Xi Jinping in May and said he is holding it in abeyance. Koo said the government will communicate with members of Congress and maintain close contact with the US Department of War to keep arms sales on schedule.
Timeline
December 2025: Trump approved $11 billion in arms for Taiwan.
May 2026: Trump met Xi Jinping and called the $14 billion package a bargaining chip.
September 2026: Four Republicans urged release of more than $15 billion in stalled aid.
November 4, 2026: Democrats won both houses of Congress in the midterm elections.
November 5, 2026: Koo made statements on arms sales to reporters in Taipei.
Roadmap
Taiwan has enjoyed cross-party US support, but the record $11 billion approval in December 2025 has been followed by a stalled second package of about $14 billion. The gap between those two actions reflects how US arms policy toward Taiwan is now tied to broader negotiations with China.
The status of the stalled $14 billion package will shape the arms Taiwan can obtain for its defence in the near term. Readers following US-China relations should watch whether Congress or the administration moves to release the withheld aid.
The takeaway
US arms policy toward Taiwan is increasingly entangled with the broader US-China relationship, and the stalled second package shows how quickly approved support can become a bargaining chip. Watch for any movement from the administration or Congress on releasing the withheld funds.
Further reading
For more on the broader strategic background, see our Military coverage.
