The United States has announced a proposed $330-million-dollar weapons sale to Taiwan, officials confirmed on Saturday.
The sale of weapons would be the first since President Donald Trump assumed office in January this year.
The US Defense Department said the sale includes parts for Taiwan’s fleet of F-16 fighter jets and C-130 military cargo planes, as well as technical and logistics support.
Officials of Pentagon said the sale will enhance Taiwan’s capability to meet current and future threats, without disturbing the basic military balance in the region.
Taiwan, while welcoming the announcement, issued a statement saying the action firmly upholds the government’s commitments to strengthen Taiwan’s security.
Trump had reportedly held off on the deal due to ongoing US-China trade negotiations, which witnessed a breakthrough earlier this month. China stakes claim to the island nation of Taiwan, making it a contentious issue with the US
The move has drawn a strong response from Beijing, with Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Lin Jian, saying the “Taiwan question” is “the first red line” that cannot be crossed if China-US relations were to be maintained.
“It seriously violated China’s sovereignty and security interests and sent a wrong signal to the Taiwan independence separatist forces.
China is strongly dissatisfied with this and firmly opposes it,” he stated.
Experts have long forecast a Chinese incursion (Blitzkrieg) against Taiwan, preparations for which had already started in China back in 2023.
The sale of the defense equipment by the US may further strain the recently-mended ties between the two global powerhouses.
