Taiwan in continuous talks with US on arms sales, says Defence Minister
Summary
Taiwan is engaged in continuous discussions with the United States regarding arms sales, according to Defence Minister Wellington Koo, who emphasized that US policy toward Taiwan remains unchanged following a recent summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The United States, despite lacking formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, is its primary international supporter and weapons supplier, a commitment reinforced by the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act. Koo also noted that Taiwan has a backlog of weapon orders, including a notable 2019 request for 66 Lockheed Martin F-16V fighters, which are currently in Hawaii awaiting delivery, and that they are actively coordinating with the US to facilitate the delivery process amid production delays.