GEOFF BENNETT: The Trump administration# has approved the largest single package## of weapons sales to Taiwan in U.S.

history.

Many## of the systems mirror those the# U.S.

has supplied to Ukraine.

The move is part of a broader U.S.

effort# to help Taiwan, like Ukraine, deter and,## if necessary, defend itself against a far# larger neighbor.

Beijing has responded angrily.

Nick Schifrin reports.

NICK SCHIFRIN: In Taiwan, the military prepares# for war with American artillery designed to sink## Chinese invaders.

It's the very same weapon# the U.S.

provided Ukraine to target Russian## invaders.

Taiwan is ordering $4 billion worth# of this mobile artillery system, HIMARS, and## $4 billion worth of self-propelled# artillery also widespread in Ukraine.

Today's package also includes a billion# dollars worth of autonomous drones made## by U.S.

manufacturer Anduril.

For years, the# U.S.

has urged Taiwan to focus less on big,## expensive weapons systems that are# unlikely to survive a Chinese invasion,## and instead to fight like Ukraine.

Ukrainian soldiers used less expensive mobile# weapons like the Javelin to disable Russian tanks.## After years of debate, Taiwan has# embraced the same weapons and idea## of fighting like a porcupine, making# itself impossible or fatal to swallow,## including with the Javelin, $375 million# worth including in today's package.

BAO WEIZHONG, 99th Marine Brigade (through# translator): I think the Russia-Ukraine war is## a wake-up call for Taiwan.

Like Ukraine,# we have a powerful adversary nearby.## That's why we need more asymmetric# weapons to strengthen both our## defense and ground forces and counter# a powerful air force such as China.

NICK SCHIFRIN: China's People's Liberation Army,# or PLA, has launched one of the fastest military## modernizations in world history.

The U.S.

says the# buildup is custom-designed to prevent U.S.

forces## to come to Taiwan's rescue, as demonstrated# in these propaganda videos, and to be able## to invade Taiwan by 2027, today's package of# weapons designed to stop this from happening.

BONNIE GLASER, German Marshall Fund: These# are weapons that will really prevent the PLA## or maybe even prevent Xi Jinping from making# a decision to send the PLA across the strait,## because they will impose very# high cost on an invading PLA.

NICK SCHIFRIN: Bonnie Glaser# is the Indo-Pacific program## managing director of the German Marshall Fund.

DONALD TRUMP, President of the United States:# It's a great honor to be with a friend of mine.

NICK SCHIFRIN: Glaser says there was no guarantee# President Trump would send Taiwan weapons,## when he's made clear he wants a deal with# Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

But the new## National Security Strategy declares# deterring a conflict over Taiwan,## ideally by preserving military# overmatch, is a priority.

BONNIE GLASER: Many people have suggested that# President Trump is softening his language toward## China, that he may be willing to use Taiwan as# a bargaining chip, and that he doesn't really## care very much about Taiwan's security.

But I# think that this language tells us otherwise.## He is not pursuing a more isolationist strategy# or pulling back from our commitment to Taiwan.

NICK SCHIFRIN: Which is exactly what angered# Beijing today, calling the weapons announcement## a violation of diplomatic agreements and an# attack on Chinese sovereignty and security.

GUO JIAKUN, Chinese Foreign Ministry# Spokesperson (through translator): The U.S.## side is already covering.. is China's core interest and the first# impassable red line in Sino-U.S.

relations.## No one should underestimate the firm will and# strong capability of the Chinese government## and people to defend its national# sovereignty and territorial integrity.

BONNIE GLASER: This is a bit# of a warning message.

However,## it is only rhetoric.

And this is the third# arms sale that has taken place since the## two leaders met.

And China's reaction# has been limited to tough rhetoric.

NICK SCHIFRIN: But the new head of# Taiwan's opposition party, Cheng Li-wun,## is worried about Chinese rhetoric, and# argues Taiwan should limit its defense## spending and says more weapons could provoke# the very war they're designed to avoid.

She## also recently told Deutsche Welle NATO# was to blame for the war in Ukraine.

CHENG LI-WUN, Chair, KMT (through translator):# Putin is a president-elected through democratic## votes.

You can't label him a dictator.

Pinning# that label on him is unreasonable and unfair.

NICK SCHIFRIN: But the Taiwanese government,# with the help of the Trump administration,## is trying to arm itself to avoid the# war that Ukraine has had to fight.

For the "PBS News Hour," I'm Nick Schifrin.