The Trump administration has approved a $10 billion arms package for Taiwan. The deal includes medium-range missiles, howitzers, and drones. The State Department announced the sale on Wednesday during President Trump's televised address, even though he did not mention Taiwan or China. The package covers 82 high-mobility artillery rocket systems (Himars) and 420 army tactical missile systems (Atacms), valued over $4 billion. These missiles are similar to those provided to Ukraine during the Biden administration. It also includes 60 self-propelled howitzer systems worth more than $4 billion, and drones valued at over $1 billion. Additional items are military software exceeding $1 billion, Javelin and Tow missiles worth $700 million, helicopter spare parts for $96 million, and kits to upgrade Harpoon missiles valued at $91 million. The US State Department said the sales support Taiwan’s efforts to modernize its armed forces and maintain credible defense. They added that the sale will improve regional stability and security. China’s Foreign Ministry strongly opposed the move. Spokesperson Guo Jiakun said, "This cannot save the doomed fate of ‘Taiwan independence’ but will only accelerate the push of the Taiwan Strait toward a dangerous situation of military confrontation and war." He warned that US support for Taiwan’s independence through arms sales would backfire. Under US law, the country must help Taiwan defend itself. This is a major point of friction with China, which insists Taiwan must reunify with the mainland and has threatened force if needed. Taiwan’s Defense Ministry thanked the US, saying the arms sale helps maintain "sufficient self-defence capabilities" and strong deterrence. Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung called US support “key for deterring conflict in the Taiwan Strait.” Taiwan plans to increase defense spending to 3.3% of GDP next year and 5% by 2030. This follows Pentagon calls for Taiwan to spend up to 10%, much higher than most countries. Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te announced a $40 billion budget for arms over eight years, including the high-tech air defense system Taiwan Dome, running from 2026 to 2033.