The administration of US President Donald Trump has approved the sale of a record $11.1 billion worth of arms to Taiwan.
The package, in particular, included HIMARS systems, Javelin anti-tank missiles, Altius drones, howitzers and components for other equipment.
As Reuters notes, the announcement of the arms sale came amid Beijing’s increased military and diplomatic pressure on Taiwan.
The State Department said that the sale serves “the national interests, economy and security of the United States.” It noted that the arms sales to Taiwan “will help maintain political stability, military balance and economic progress in the region.”
Taiwan’s defence ministry in a statement expressed gratitude to the US for the arms sale, which it said would help Taiwan maintain “sufficient self-defence capabilities”. The ministry added that the package is pending before the US Congress, which has the ability to block or modify the agreement.
China’s Foreign Ministry has criticised the arms sale to Taiwan. The ministry said it would violate diplomatic agreements between China and the US, seriously harm China’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, and undermine regional stability.
China considers Taiwan its territory. Chinese authorities have repeatedly said they are ready to take control of the island by force. Bloomberg estimates in 2024 that if China attacked Taiwan, a war would cost 10 per cent of global GDP and would also result in a direct military clash between the PRC and the US.
Any potential military conflict around the island could involve the US, which is a member of several regional coalitions and, according to laws in the United States, considers any threats to Taiwan as a problem of “exceptional gravity”.