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Taiwan Urges Trump to Deliver Delayed $14 Billion Arms Package

Taiwan Urges Trump to Deliver Delayed $14 Billion Arms Package
Taiwan presses Trump on $14 billion arms deal · thehansindia.com

Taiwan wants the United States to send it weapons that Congress has already approved.

The package is worth $14 billion, but President Donald Trump has not yet approved its delivery.

Taiwan says stronger defenses could discourage China from attacking it.

China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out using force.

Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping talked about Taiwan during their summit, but it was not a main public topic.

U.S. officials said weapons deliveries are delayed because American factories have a large backlog.

They also said the United States must supply its own military and other countries.

Taiwan says it will spend more on its own defense and is important to the world because it makes advanced computer chips.

Key facts

Weapons package
A $14 billion package approved by Congress but awaiting action by President Donald Trump.
Taiwan's payment
Taiwan said it has already paid for the arms.
Delivery delay
U.S. officials cited a large defense-industrial backlog, U.S. military requirements, and competing international demands.
Additional assistance
Several Republican senators questioned why more than $1 billion in additional assistance had not been delivered.
Taiwan's defense spending
Taiwan said it is increasing its defense budget and intends to shoulder more of its defense costs.
U.S. policy
The United States said it had not changed its position toward Taiwan and is legally committed to helping it retain the ability to defend itself.
Semiconductors
Taiwan produces many advanced semiconductors used in artificial intelligence systems, servers, and other critical technologies.

Quotes

Alexander Yui

Taiwan’s representative to the United States

“This purchase or this sale actually is peace through strength is the best way to avoid any conflict. The notion that China will not attack Taiwan is on the basis that Taiwan is strong.”
thehansindia.com
“There is a huge backlog of arms, and a lot of this is about our industrial base and being able to produce not only what they are requesting, but what the Europeans are requesting”
thehansindia.com

Sources

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