China Protests as US Greenlights $385 Million Taiwan Arms Deal
The United States has approved a $385 million arms sale to Taiwan, despite strong protests from China.
The sale, which includes advanced equipment to enhance Taiwan’s defense capabilities, is part of Washington’s ongoing support for Taiwan amid growing tensions with Beijing.
The arms package is said to include equipment for air and missile defense systems, as well as radar and communication technologies.
The approval of the sale comes in the context of U.S. efforts to help Taiwan strengthen its defense against potential threats from China, which views Taiwan as a breakaway province and has increasingly asserted its military presence in the region.
China has condemned the arms sale, calling it a violation of its sovereignty and a destabilizing move that could escalate tensions in the Taiwan Strait.
Beijing has warned the U.S. against continuing its arms sales to Taiwan, emphasizing that such actions could have severe consequences for U.S.-China relations.
The U.S. government, however, maintains that the sale is in line with its commitment to supporting Taiwan’s self-defense, in accordance with the Taiwan Relations Act, which has guided U.S.-Taiwan relations since 1979.
This approval is likely to further strain U.S.-China relations, which have already been tense due to disputes over trade, technology, and military issues.
Taiwan remains a central point of contention in the broader geopolitical rivalry between the two global powers.