U.S. approves potential $2 billion arms sale to Taiwan

Live rounds are fired during a nighttime exercise on Taiwan's Penghu Islands on Thursday. | TAIWAN MILITARY handout

Wires
October 26, 2024

The U.S. State Department has approved a potential $2 billion sale to Taiwan of missiles and radar systems, the Pentagon said Friday, a week after China staged war games near the island and including systems that have been battle tested in Ukraine.

The United States is bound by law to provide Chinese-claimed Taiwan with the means to defend itself despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties, to the constant anger of Beijing.

China has been stepping up military pressure against Taiwan, including holding a new round of war games around the island last week, the second time it has done so since Lai Ching-te took office as Taiwan's president in May.