US arms sale to Taiwan

A proposed US arms sale to Taiwan worth US$1.42 billion was announced by US Department of State on June 29, 2017.  The Trump administration informed the US Congress about the deal earlier that day.  The package included MK-48 torpedoes, AGM-88B high-speed anti-radiation missiles, and AGM-154C join standoff weapon.   Actually the arms package was previously approved by Obama’s administration.  Trump administration will decide the timing and details of the package.  China opposed the arms sale to Taiwan and filed a protest to US and had asked US to cancel the deal.  Under the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, the U.S. had the obligation to sale weapons to Taiwan to make sure that Taiwan had the ability to maintain a sufficient self-defense capability.   It was a routing arms sale between US and Taiwan.  However, this package will improve the survivability and airborne time of nation’s jets in the event of military conflict, while offering enhanced area denial capabilities for submarines.    One day early. the US Senate Committee on Armed Service approved the National Defense Authorization Bill.  The bill approved a provision calling for the resumption of port visit to Taiwan by the US Navy.  The bill needs to pass the full US Senate and US House of Representatives and be approved by US President to become law.  Again China protested the bill and expressed grave concern.   The bill also directs the Pentagon to help Taiwan develop an indigenous undersea warfare program and recommends strengthened strategic cooperation with Taiwan.   In response to the arms sale, Taiwan’s president Tsai Ing-wen pledged to adjust the defense budget.  Tsai urged the public to show more support for national defense and military.  Tsai said that her administration has pushed reforms over the past year to address the gap in defense capabilities between Taiwan and China.  “Peace should not be taken for granted, and the nation’s defense should not be overlooked because of it” Tsai said.