The US State Department reaffirmed Washington’s long-term commitment to Taiwan and urged Beijing to stop pressuring the country and engage in meaningful dialogue, following approval of a major weapons deal.
The Trump administration informed the US Congress of eight arms sales packages to Taiwan worth a record NT$350.3 billion (US$11.11 billion). US experts say the arms sale will significantly strengthen Taiwan’s deterrence capabilities, increase the difficulty of an attack on Taiwan by China, and demonstrate Washington’s commitment to regional security, per CNA.
Following the announcement, China immediately expressed its dissatisfaction. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Washington is undermining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and sending “a gravely wrong signal to ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces.”
In response, an unnamed US State Department spokesperson told CNA that the administration has made it clear the US’ long-term commitment to Taiwan remains unchanged, a commitment that has lasted over 40 years. The spokesperson also said that the US urges Beijing to stop exerting military, diplomatic, and economic pressure on Taiwan and instead engage in meaningful dialogue.
This marks the second US arms sale announcement to Taiwan since Donald Trump returned to the White House, coming roughly a month after the previous sale. On Nov. 13, the US government announced approval of a NT$10.4 billion (US$330 million) arms sale to Taiwan, including spare parts for fighter jets and transport aircraft, marking Trump 2.0’s first arms sale to Taiwan.
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