The US is planning to give Taiwan what may be the largest arms deal ever to be offered to the self-governed island. This move is seen as a sign of the US’s continuous military backing for Taiwan against the threat of China. The deal worth about $14 billion is waiting for final approval by US President Donald Trump. The deal is expected to be made public after Trump’s visit to China later this month.
The deal is believed to include air defense equipment and interceptor missiles to bolster Taiwan’s ability to fight aerial attacks. The US is considering Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missiles and National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS for Taiwan. Both are already used by the US military and its allies to provide top-notch air defense.
The move comes as military pressure on Taiwan from China continues to build up. China claims Taiwan to be one of its provinces and has always been against any kind of military aid to Taiwan from any foreign country. China has also asked the US to abide by the “One China” principle and the three joint communiqués that govern the relationship between the two countries.
China’s President Xi Jinping is believed to have warned US President Donald Trump earlier this year to be “prudent” while dealing with the issue of arms sales to Taiwan. Despite all the odds against the deal, the US is planning to give Taiwan what may be the largest arms deal ever to be offered to the self-governed island.
Trump is due to visit Beijing from March 31 to April 2 for a meeting with Xi Jinping, during which trade relations and security issues are expected to be discussed. The timing of the arms deal announcement is also being closely monitored, as the US traditionally tries to time its approval of arms sales to Taiwan with care during sensitive diplomatic negotiations with Beijing.
Apart from the $14 billion package, sources have indicated that a further $6 billion of defence equipment, which focuses on so-called ‘asymmetric’ weaponry intended to counter a more powerful military opponent, may also be approved either alongside or shortly after the main deal.
This sale follows the approval by the Trump administration of a $11 billion weapons package for Taiwan in December, which included missiles, drones, artillery, as well as aircraft components. This single approval was more than a number of US arms deals with Taiwan.
Taiwan’s parliament voted last week to give its government the go-ahead to draw up contracts for the purchase of four of the weaponry systems included in the December package, so that the deadlines for procurement can be met as soon as the funding is finally approved by the legislature.
According to analysts, the US traditionally tries to balance its commitment to Taiwan with its desire not to antagonise Beijing. However, the US continues to assert its commitment to the policy of allowing Taiwan to acquire the means necessary for its own defence.
According to officials, the Taiwanese government is confident that the US commitment to its security continues, as Beijing continues to assert its opposition to US arms sales to the island.
