conflicts
The US is apparently planning a billion-euro arms deal with Taiwan
Two US warships recently crossed the Taiwan Strait. photo
© Uncredited/US Navy/AP/dpa
Amid ongoing tensions between the US and China, the US government wants to supply Taiwan with weapons, according to a report. This is likely to cause displeasure in Beijing.
According to a report, the US government apparently plans to supply Taiwan with weapons worth around 1.1 billion dollars. This was reported by Politico magazine, citing three different sources involved in the matter. The government wants to ask Congress to approve the deal. The package includes 60 anti-ship missiles and 100 air-to-air missiles. A spokeswoman for the Foreign Ministry declined to comment on the report.
Such a deal is likely to strengthen already strained relations between the US and China. China sees the democratically governed island as part of the People’s Republic. Taiwan, on the other hand, sees itself as independent.
A visit by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan in early August sparked serious tensions with China. Beijing began large-scale maneuvers around Taiwan. A sea and air blockade and a possible conquest were practiced. Nevertheless, other delegations with US politicians traveled to Taiwan shortly afterwards.
On Sunday, US forces sent warships through the Taiwan Straits for the first time since Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan. China described the voyage of the two US warships on Monday as a “provocation”.
political