Taiwan's $14B US arms package remains frozen but minister says existing sales are unchanged

From the Newshound archive · first published 29 September 2026.

Taiwan's Defence Minister Wellington Koo has confirmed that a $14 billion arms package — the largest ever — remains on hold after the United States froze it following Trump's Beijing summit with President Xi Jinping in May. Koo told reporters that existing sales and military cooperation are unaffected and that Taipei has received no notification of any shifts in its arrangements with Washington. He also noted that 66 advanced F-16V fighter jets are ready for delivery, though the aircraft have been held up for years by pandemic disruptions and production delays. China, which regards Taiwan as part of its territory, has urged Washington to end arms sales to the island altogether.

Trump held talks with Xi in Beijing in May, and the $14B deal was frozen shortly afterwards, deepening concern that the White House is bowing to pressure from Beijing.

Koo said Washington has provided assurances that its broader Taiwan policy is unchanged, even as Taipei continues to negotiate on individual deals.

China's People's Liberation Army dispatches jets and warships toward Taiwan on an almost daily basis, making the frozen arms package a critical question of sovereignty for the island.