Biden administration approves $80 million military equipment transfer to Taiwan, angering China
The Biden administration has approved the first-ever transfer of US military equipment to Taiwan under a program typically reserved for sovereign nations. The $80 million package, part of the State Department’s foreign military financing (FMF) program, will be funded by US taxpayers.
The State Department stated that the FMF will be used to enhance Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities, joint and combined defense capability, as well as maritime domain awareness and maritime security capability. This move is in line with the Taiwan Relations Act and the longstanding one China policy, according to a State Department spokesperson.
China, which claims Taiwan as its own, expressed “strong dissatisfaction” and “firm opposition” to the arms sale. The Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that the sale harms China’s sovereignty and security interests, as well as peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. It urged the US to cease enhancing military connections with Taiwan and stop creating tensions in the region.
China’s Defense Ministry also criticized the sale, vowing to take all necessary measures to counter it. The US has previously sold weapons to Taiwan through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. However, the FMF program will provide grant assistance to Taiwan, paid for by US taxpayers, to make these purchases.
The sale could include a wide range of capabilities such as air and coastal defense systems, ballistic missile defense, cyber defense, drones, military training, protective gear, and ammunition. It is expected to take months or years for the military support to reach Taiwan as the equipment will be incorporated into future Pentagon purchases.
Under the Taiwan Enhanced Resilience Act passed last year, the US government is authorized to spend up to $2 billion annually in military grant assistance to Taiwan from 2023 to 2027. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul welcomed the approval, stating that it strengthens US deterrence posture and ensures national security against an increasingly aggressive Chinese Communist Party.
This story has been updated with additional information.
CNN’s Jennifer Hansler and B contributed to this report.
How does the US military equipment transfer to Taiwan enhance its defense capabilities and support its security arrangements?
Defense capabilities and support its security arrangements.
This move is expected to anger China, which considers Taiwan a renegade province and opposes any form of military support or recognition for the island. China has long warned the US against interfering in its internal affairs, including affairs related to Taiwan.
The Biden administration’s decision to approve this military equipment transfer signifies its commitment to supporting Taiwan and maintaining a strong partnership with the island nation. It also reflects the US’s broader strategy of countering China’s growing influence and assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region.
The $80 million package includes various types of military equipment, such as sensors, missiles, and artillery. This equipment will help Taiwan bolster its defense capabilities and improve its ability to deter potential aggression from China.
The US has been a long-standing supporter of Taiwan, providing arms sales and military assistance to the island nation in accordance with the Taiwan Relations Act. This act, passed in 1979 after the US recognized the People’s Republic of China as the legitimate government of China, requires the US to ensure Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities.
While the US does not have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, it maintains unofficial relations and serves as a key ally and partner for the island. The military equipment transfer serves as a signal of continued US support and commitment to Taiwan’s security.
China is likely to strongly condemn this decision and may take retaliatory measures in response. In recent years, China has significantly increased military activities near Taiwan, including conducting air and naval exercises in the vicinity of the island.
The Biden administration will need to carefully manage the implications of this decision as it seeks to navigate its complex relationship with China. Balancing support for Taiwan with US-China relations will continue to be a challenging task for the Biden administration going forward.
This move is only going to escalate tensions between the US and China, creating a dangerous situation in the region.
It is concerning to see the US increasing military support to Taiwan, as it will undoubtedly strain their relationship with China and potentially worsen the already volatile situation in the region.