Taiwan Statement: U.S. Very Much Understands Our Defense Needs
A senior Taiwanese diplomat stated that following contacts between Washington and Beijing, the U.S. has a clear grasp of Taiwan's defense requirements and the threats it faces.
A senior Taiwanese diplomat stated that the U.S. very much understands the island's defense needs and the military threat posed by China. This statement was made in Taipei following a delayed weapons sales package worth approximately $14 billion and a summit between the leaders of the two countries.
Waiting for the Weapons Sales Package
Democratically governed Taiwan has been waiting for months for the approval of a new weapons sales package worth approximately $14 billion in the face of China's sovereignty claims over the island. Previously, a record $11 billion deal was implemented in December.
Beijing Summit and Held Decisions
U.S. President Donald Trump had announced that he was holding off on the latest weapons sales package after meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing in May. Following last week's summit, Trump did not directly mention this issue.
Messages from Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Speaking to reporters in Taipei, Taiwan's Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Ming-chi referred to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's statements regarding military sales that require careful evaluation.
Military Threat in the Taiwan Strait
Stating that despite China's shrinking economy, it continues to allocate more resources to increase its military capacity, Chen emphasized that in this context, the U.S. fully comprehends the defense needs.
U.S. Policy and Resolve
While U.S. Ambassador to China David Perdue stated that there has been no change in the Trump administration's Taiwan policy or weapons sales, Taiwanese officials also confirmed that the American side's policy remains steady.