US President Donald Trump this summer refused to approve a package of military aid to Taiwan worth more than $400 million, according to The Washington Post. According to the newspaper’s sources, the decision is related to Washington’s attempt to reach a large-scale trade agreement with China.
At the same time, a White House spokesman said that the decision on military aid to Taiwan has not yet been finalised.
The package included modern UAVs and powerful munitions.
Experts warn that Washington’s refusal to provide military aid to Taipei could weaken Taiwan’s defence capabilities at a time when China, which considers it its rebellious province, is actively building up military forces around the island. According to US intelligence, Chinese President Xi Jinping has tasked China’s president Xi Jinping with preparing the army for a possible takeover of Taiwan by 2027.
In recent months, the Trump administration has made a number of concessions to Beijing – easing export restrictions on semiconductors and refusing to enforce a ban on TikTok. The moves have raised concerns among Republicans and former members of Trump’s team, who believe Washington is reducing its support for Taiwan.
Unlike the Joe Biden administration, which has approved several military aid packages to Taiwan at the expense of the presidency, Trump insists the island must pay for its own arms purchases. He believes Taiwan, which has a powerful economy, can follow the example of Israel and European countries.
The Taiwanese authorities have already agreed on a major new arms contract, which they plan to finance with an additional defence budget.
Taiwan intends to increase military spending to 3.3 per cent of GDP next year and raise it to 5 per cent by 2030.
Washington, meanwhile, recommends that Taipei focus on acquiring “asymmetric” systems: drones, missiles and coastal monitoring systems. However, many of these weapons will be delivered in just a few years.
Trump has repeatedly said that China would not dare to invade Taiwan during his presidency.
Amid preparations for a possible meeting between Trump and Xi Jinping, the U.S. cancelled a number of meetings with Taiwanese officials, but at the same time notified Congress of a possible $500 million arms sale to Taipei.