White House Reveals Arms Sales With Taiwan: What Does This Mean for Us-china Ties?

Washington announces its ongoing arms deal with Taiwan amidst its shaky ties with China.

According to the South China Morning Post, the White House declared that Taiwan would purchase spare parts for its fleet of F-16 fighters, C-130 transport planes, and other US-made weaponry for more than $425 million. The deal comprises $98 million in non-standard equipment and $330 million in standard replacement parts.

"This proposed sale serves US national, economic, and security interests by supporting the recipient's continuing efforts to maintain a credible defensive capability," the State Department announced regarding the deal.

Due to the recent actions by Chinese planes and warships surrounding the sea and air, the equipment would greatly assist Taiwan's ships in maintaining proper equipment and meeting the practical needs of combat preparation tasks. Since Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen took office in 2016, the tension between China and Taiwan has increased since she disagrees with its position that the island is a part of its territory.

However, the newest arms sales, according to Taiwan relation Professor Wang Jianmin at Minnan Normal University in Fujian province, revealed Washington had once more broken its vow to cut back on arms deliveries to Taiwan.

China Slams Back at US-Taiwan Arms Deal

Alarmingly, Beijing responded to the deal, saying the arms sales were harmful to the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait and sent the wrong signal amidst its relations with the US.

The tension comes as no surprise, however, as the Financial Times reports that relations between the US and China, which are currently the two largest economies, have been going downhill with alarming speed.

The final of three joint statements between Washington and Beijing concluded that the US would reduce and impose qualitative and quantitative limits on future arms sales, subject to Beijing maintaining peaceful relations with Taiwan. Mao denounced the deals as " flagrantly violating" the one-China principle and the August 17 Communique.

Beijing has pledged to use force to unite the island with the mainland if necessary, but in recent months, it has adopted a more conciliatory stance. Beijing has denounced prior US weaponry supplies to Taiwan as infringing on Washington's "one-China policy."

US NDAA Includes Taiwan in Upcoming Year

Additionally, according to Defense News, US legislators recently announced a compromise version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes the Taiwan Enhanced Resilience Act (TERA), which authorizes up to $10 billion in defense assistance to the island for the upcoming financial year.

Under an interagency program that offers grants and loans to foreign governments to buy American military equipment, services, and training, TERA authorizes $2 billion yearly in military aid for five years. Additionally, it authorizes an additional $1 billion in yearly emergency defense aid for Taiwan.

However, congressional appropriators have not yet agreed upon the authorization's funding and are worried that the large sum requested for Taiwan security assistance could deplete American resources. The total budget for the State Department is $56 billion.