Taiwanese Defense Minister ‘Cautiously Optimistic’ About US Arms Sale Deal

Taiwanese Defense Minister Wellington Koo said U.S. weapons sales to Taiwan were an ⁠important ‘counterbalancing force’ for maintaining peace and stability.

Taiwanese air force pilots run to their armed U.S.-made F-16V fighter at an air force base in Chiayi, Taiwan, on Jan. 5, 2022. Sam Yeh/AFP via Getty Images

Taiwanese Defense Minister Wellington Koo said on May 19 that he was “cautiously optimistic” about an arms sales deal with the United States that is awaiting U.S. President Donald ‌Trump’s approval.

Koo said U.S. weapons sales to Taiwan were an ⁠important “counterbalancing force” for maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, adding that Taipei is still talking to Washington about the weapons deal.