The United States has approved a potential US$330 million sale of spare parts and repair components for Taiwan’s fleet of fighter jets and transport aircraft, the Pentagon announced late Thursday (Nov 13). The approval marks the first major defence-related transaction with Taipei since President Donald Trump assumed office in January.
In its statement, the Pentagon said the proposed sale would help Taiwan “maintain the operational readiness” of key aircraft including the F-16 fighter jets, C-130 transport planes, and other air assets, thereby strengthening the island’s ability to respond to current and emerging security threats.
China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory, has long opposed any form of military cooperation between Washington and Taipei. Beijing has not ruled out using force to bring the island under its control, while Taiwan insists its future must be determined solely by its people.
President Trump previously said Chinese President Xi Jinping assured him that Beijing would not launch military action against Taiwan while Trump remained in office.
The announcement comes shortly after Trump and Xi met in South Korea to pursue progress on trade talks. Ahead of the meeting, there had been concerns in Taipei that Washington might compromise Taiwan’s interests in exchanges with Beijing.
Although the United States maintains official diplomatic ties with China, it continues to uphold strong, unofficial relations with Taiwan and remains the island’s primary supplier of defensive arms.
