Senators from both parties pressed President Trump to release a stalled $14 billion arms package for Taiwan ahead of his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The bipartisan letter, signed by eight senators, demands formal notification to Congress and stresses that Taipei’s new defense budget removes any excuse for delay in the current political context today.

Taiwan’s lawmakers recently approved a $25 billion special defense budget, earmarking funds for U.S. weapons that counter drones and medium‑range munitions. The package cannot advance until the White House formally hands it to Congress, a hold that has raised doubts about the administration’s consistency amid escalating Chinese military pressure in the region and global security discourse.

Eight senators—Democrats Jeanne Shaheen, Chris Coons, Elissa Slotkin, Tammy Duckworth, Andy Kim, Jacky Rosen and Republicans Thom Tillis, John Curtis—met with Taiwanese President Lai Ching‑te during a March delegation that highlighted Taiwan’s capability gaps. Their letter argues that U.S. arms sales are essential to both Taiwan’s deterrence and American national interests for security and stability.

The delay has sparked concerns that Washington may use the Taiwan sale as a bargaining chip in talks with Beijing, a strategy that could undermine confidence in U.S. commitments. With China tightening its military presence, investors watch the outcome closely, as it could shift defense contracts and influence global supply chains and technology sectors today.