(Adnkronos) – Engaged in trying to negotiate a trade deal and a potential summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, whom he will speak to today, US President Donald Trump did not approve, last summer, the allocation of 400 million dollars in military aid to Taiwan. A decision that could still be revoked, but which marks a reversal in US policy towards Taipei, the island that China claims as its own territory. This was revealed by the Washington Post, citing five different sources familiar with the matter. According to two of these, the package – whose value would have exceeded 400 million dollars – would have included more lethal weapons than those previously supplied, including ammunition and drones.
The United States ceased diplomatic recognition of Taiwan as the Chinese government in 1979, but remains the island’s main arms supplier. Under Joe Biden’s presidency, Washington has approved over $2 billion in military aid to Taiwan. Trump, however, “does not support sending weapons without financial compensation, as also with Ukraine,” the Washington Post notes.
US and Taiwanese defense officials met in August in Anchorage, Alaska, the American newspaper further reports. According to the newspaper, an arms deal “that could reach several billion dollars in total” was discussed, which would include drones, missiles and sensors to monitor the island’s coast. (continued)
During a visit to Taiwan in late August, the chairman of the US Senate Armed Services Committee declared his determination to ensure that the United States and Taiwan remain “best friends”.
“Part of maintaining our freedoms is strengthening military cooperation, strengthening cooperation with our defense industry, and making the best use of these funds,” said Republican Senator Roger Wicker after meeting with Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te.
Faced with increasing military pressure from China in recent years, Taiwan is increasing its defense spending and the United States is pushing the island to step up its efforts. The Taiwanese Ministry of Defense plans to request an extraordinary budget that could reach 28 billion euros, a record figure.
