U.S. silent on rumored multibillion-dollar Taiwan weapons purchase

Washington, Feb. 18 (CNA) A U.S. government spokesperson on Tuesday refused to confirm a Reuters report stating Taiwan is planning a multibillion-dollar weapons purchase from the United States to appease the Donald Trump administration.

Reuters reported early Tuesday, citing three anonymous sources, that Taipei is in talks with Washington over an arms deal worth an estimated US$7 billion to US$10 billion.

"The package is meant to demonstrate to the U.S. that Taiwan is committed to its defense," Reuters cited one of the sources as saying.

Asked to comment, the U.S. State Department told CNA that, as is longstanding practice, Washington does not make any comment until a deal is formalized.

"Consistent with the Taiwan Relations Act, the United States will continue to enable Taiwan's self-defense capabilities. As a matter of policy, we are unable to comment on or confirm potential or pending arms transfers before they are formally notified to Congress," the spokesperson said in an email.

Based on a list of steps provided by Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND), Taiwan first requests to purchase weapons from the U.S.

Washington then sends a letter of offer and acceptance (LOA) with more details after the green light is given.

Taipei reviews the offer and completes a procurement proposal before sending the LOA back to Washington.

Various U.S. government branches then review the proposal before the U.S. government notifies Congress of the sale. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency under the Department of Defense, subsequently makes the deal public.

According to the Reuters report, the deal could include coastal defense cruise missiles and HIMARS rockets, a source was cited as saying.

Taiwan is planning a special budget focused on precision ammunition, air-defense upgrades, command and control systems, reserve force equipment and anti-drone technology, another source told Reuters.

Taiwan's MND also did not comment on the Reuters report.