Overview
- Parliament unanimously authorized the government to sign four U.S. arms-sale agreements covering TOW and Javelin anti-tank missiles, M109A7 howitzers, and HIMARS launchers.
- Defense officials warned the letters of offer and acceptance face near-term deadlines, with most expiring Sunday and the HIMARS agreement for 82 systems expiring March 26, risking a loss of production and delivery positions.
- The eight-year NT$1.25 trillion (about US$40 billion) special defense budget remains under review as opposition parties push smaller alternatives, but lawmakers allowed signings to proceed before final budget approval.
- A separate U.S. package worth about US$14 billion, largely PAC-3 and NASAMS air-defense missiles, is ready for presidential sign-off and could be announced after Trump’s March 31–April 2 trip to Beijing, according to sources.
- A senior U.S. official said more approvals are moving through with no change in Taiwan policy, China reiterated its opposition to U.S. sales, and President Lai said Taiwan’s strong economy can support the proposed $40 billion plan.