Trump's second-term Taiwan arms sales top Biden-era total by nearly 40 percent
Taiwan arms sales approved during Trump's second term now exceed the Biden-era total by nearly 40 percent. According to Nikkei Asia, the packages focus on radar, air defence and unmanned platforms. Beijing's formal response is raising tensions further.
Nikkei Asia · Staff WriterAccording to data compiled by Nikkei Asia, the total value of arms sales approved by the Trump administration to Taiwan during its second term now exceeds the entire four-year Biden-era total by roughly 40 percent. Most of the packages focus on long-range radar, air-defence batteries and unmanned aerial capability. The White House describes the steps as part of 'deterrence'.
China's foreign ministry called the packages 'a violation of the One-China policy' and announced it would take countermeasures. Independent experts say Beijing is weighing both military drills and trade restrictions as potential responses. Taiwan, for its part, says the package establishes 'a sustainable line' for island defence and social resilience.
Nikkei notes the package could reshape risk perceptions across the Taiwan Strait. Global companies dependent on the regional chip and tech ecosystem are updating contingency plans for possible supply-chain disruptions. The reactions of Tokyo and Seoul over the coming weeks will be closely watched.
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