"The United States has announced an $11.1 billion (9.45 billion) weapons package that, if completed, would be Washington's largest-ever arms sale to Taiwan. The defense package is a welcome boost for Taipei, which is facing increasing military pressure from China. The announcement has irked Beijing, which opposes any arms sales to Taiwan and claims the democratically self-governed island as its own territory."
"The deal comes amid growing questions in Taiwan about US security commitments, fueled in part by President Donald Trump's trade policies and negotiating tactics. In response to the latest arms sale, which still needs congressional approval, Taipei has said it is "sincerely grateful" to Washington, adding that the deal underscores "the close Taiwan-US partnership." The US, despite having no formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, remains the island's most important international backer and is required by law to provide it with self-defense weapons."
"The deal, the second arms sale to Taiwan of Donald Trump's second term, includes eight separate purchases, ranging from HIMARS rocket systems and anti-tank missiles to loitering suicide drones. "This is an important package from an operational perspective," David Sacks, a fellow for Asia studies at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), told DW. Sacks said the arms sale is "squarely focused on giving Taiwan the ability to repel a Chinese invasion," rather than countering gray-zone coercion or responding to a blockade."
The United States announced an $11.1 billion weapons package that, if completed, would be Washington's largest-ever arms sale to Taiwan. The package provides a significant boost for Taipei amid increasing military pressure from China and has provoked strong objections from Beijing, which opposes arms sales and claims the island as its territory. China's Taiwan Affairs Office demanded that the US immediately cease arming Taiwan and stop supporting Taiwan independence forces. The deal appears amid growing questions in Taiwan about US security commitments tied to President Trump's trade policies and negotiating tactics. Taipei expressed gratitude and said the sale underscores the close Taiwan–US partnership. The package includes eight purchases, such as HIMARS rocket systems, anti-tank missiles, and loitering suicide drones, and is described as operationally focused on enabling Taiwan to repel a Chinese invasion rather than addressing gray-zone coercion or blockades.
Read at www.dw.com
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