The United States administration has approved a major arms sale to Taiwan valued at more than $10 billion, a move expected to further escalate tensions in the Asia-Pacific region.

The announcement was made by the US State Department during President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address, drawing immediate attention amid already strained relations between Washington and Beijing.

According to the statement, the arms package includes 82 HIMARS multiple-launch rocket systems, 420 Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), and 60 howitzer artillery systems, along with related equipment and logistical support to enhance Taiwan’s military capabilities.

The package also contains unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), military software systems, Javelin and TOW anti-tank missiles, spare parts for helicopters, and upgrade kits for Harpoon missiles. US officials indicated that the total value of the sale exceeds $10 billion, making it one of the largest arms deals approved for Taiwan in recent years.

Washington claims the sale is intended to strengthen Taiwan’s defense capacity and deter potential threats. However, critics argue that such arms transfers contribute to regional instability and increase the risk of confrontation with China, which considers Taiwan an integral part of its territory and has consistently opposed foreign military support to the island.

International observers note that the decision reflects a continuation of the United States’ policy of deepening military cooperation with Taiwan, despite repeated warnings from Beijing that arms sales violate China’s sovereignty and undermine regional peace.

Taiwanese authorities welcomed the decision, describing it as a significant step in bolstering the island’s defensive preparedness, while China is expected to issue a strong diplomatic response in the coming days. (ILKHA)