New US weapons for Taiwan

A major U.S. arms package for Taiwan that includes advanced interceptor missiles is ready for President Donald Trump's approval and could be signed after his trip to China this month.



With a price tag of about $14 billion, the arms deal would be the largest ever for the democratically governed island, which faces steadily rising ⁠military pressure from China.



Sources familiar with the administration's thinking told Reuters the deal was under wraps ahead of Trump's planned trip to Beijing from March 31 to April 2 to meet President Xi Jinping, but could be announced after his return.



Xi told Trump in February that arms sales to Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own territory, must be handled with "prudence."



Trump's moves to secure a favorable trade deal with China have raised concerns among some China watchers that he could curb U.S. military support for Taiwan.