Taipei, Sept 29:
Taiwan Defence Minister Wellington Koo said on Tuesday that Taipei remains in continuous discussions with the United States over arms sales and has received assurances from Washington that its policy towards Taiwan has not changed following the recent summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Koo said Taiwan had repeatedly received explanations from the US side that there had been no change in Washington’s policy. He said discussions on ongoing military sales were continuing, with individual cases requiring further coordination.
Taiwan has a backlog of previously ordered US weapons, including an order placed in 2019 for 66 F-16V fighter jets. Koo said production had progressed but declined to provide a specific delivery schedule. Taiwan media have reported that the first two aircraft are in Hawaii awaiting delivery.
China has repeatedly opposed US arms sales to Taiwan and has called on Washington to halt such transactions. Taiwan, meanwhile, continues to rely heavily on the United States for military equipment and security support.
Koo said Taiwan would continue coordinating with the US on pending deliveries. The United States is bound under the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself.