Taiwan is exploring to buy billions of dollars worth of weapons from the US, and sources who described the issue said they hope to gain support from the new Trump administration.
Three sources familiar with the situation said they were talking to Reuters on condition of anonymity given the sensitivity of the situation, saying Taiwan is in discussions with Washington.
The package is intended to demonstrate to the US that Taiwan is committed to its defense, one source said.
The second source said the package includes coastal defense cruise missiles and Hima rockets.
“If it’s under $8 billion, I’d be very surprised. It’s somewhere between $7 billion and $10 billion,” the source added.
US national security adviser Mike Waltz says he wants to accelerate the delivery of weapons to Taiwan.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense declined to comment on specific purchases, but said it focused on building defenses.
“Weapons and equipment that can achieve these goals for building an army are listed as targets for bidding,” he said.
China sees Taiwan as its own territory and has never given up on the use of force to put the island under control.