Taiwan Is Being Armed 'To The Teeth' By The U.S.

Taiwanese troops following an undated exercise  

BBC: The US is quietly arming Taiwan to the teeth 

When US President Joe Biden recently signed off on a $80m (£64.6m) grant to Taiwan for the purchase of American military equipment, China said it "deplores and opposes" what Washington had done. 

To the casual observer it didn't appear a steep sum. It was less than the cost of a single modern fighter jet. Taiwan already has on order more than $14bn worth of US military equipment. Does a miserly $80m more matter? 

While fury is Beijing's default response to any military support for Taiwan, this time something was different.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: The flow of arms to Taiwan is massive .... Breaking Down Taiwan’s Arms Backlog, Part 1: Overview and Methodology (CATO). 

 Concerns that this may all backfire are justified .... The US is quietly arming Taiwan against a Chinese invasion — but it could backfire (Business Insider).  

Update: Here is an interesting read .... How Would China Take Over Taiwan? One of These 5 Strategies (AEI/Bloomberg).

U.S. Approves Another Military Sale To Taiwan

 

CNN: State Department approves $500 million sale of infrared search and track systems for F-16 fighter jets to Taiwan 

The State Department approved an estimated $500 million sale of infrared search and track systems for F-16 fighter jets, as well as other related equipment, to Taiwan on Wednesday. 

The proposed sale of the infrared equipment will help Taiwan “defend its airspace, provide regional security, and increase interoperability with the United States,” the agency said in a statement. 

In addition to the infrared search and track systems, the sale would include “integration support, aircraft and munitions support, software support, spare parts, consumables, personnel training, and other related elements.”  

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: China has responded to this military sale .... US to sell aircraft tracking systems to Taiwan island with PLA's J-20 stealth fighter in mind; scheme 'futile' (Global Times). More here .... China defence ministry urges US to stop 'arming' Taiwan (Reuters). 

U.S. Approves Another Military Sale To Taiwan  

Taiwan arms boosted as US approves US$500 million in F-16 sensors -- SCMP  

U.S. approves possible sale of F-16 search and track systems to Taiwan -- Reuters  

Taiwan's F-16s Cleared To Receive IRST Targeting Systems -- The Warzone  

US approves potential $500m sale of military equipment to Taiwan -- Al Jazeera 

F-16 infrared tracking systems can help Taiwan detect Chinese stealth fighters -- Taiwan News

China Says U.S. Sending Military Equipment To Taiwan Is Raising Tensions

Senior Colonel Tan Kefei, spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense. (PHOTO / CHINA DAILY)  

Reuters: China Says It Resolutely Opposes US Military Sales to Taiwan 

BEIJING (Reuters) - China resolutely opposes U.S. arms sales to Taiwan and has lodged stern representations to Washington, China's defence ministry said on Wednesday. 

 "The United States has ignored China's core concerns, violently interfered in China's internal affairs and deliberately pushed up tensions in the Taiwan Strait," spokesperson Tan Kefei said in a statement. 

The U.S. State Department had approved the potential sale of ammunition and logistics support to Taiwan in two separate deals valued at up to $440 million, the Pentagon said last week. 

Read more .... 

Update: China accuses the US of turning Taiwan into a powder keg with its latest sales of military equipment (AP)  

Update #2: China decries US approval of potential arms sales to Taiwan (China Daily). 

WNU Editor: China is clearly not happy with these US arms sales to Taiwan.

U.S. Government Preparing Evacuation Plans For American Citizens Living In Taiwan

A US military aircraft carrying a group of Us senators arrives at the Songshan Airport in Taipei, Taiwan, June 6, 2021 © AP  

The Messenger: The US Is Preparing Evacuation Plans for American Citizens in Taiwan (Exclusive)  

Wars in Ukraine and Afghanistan hang over planning for worst-case scenarios 

The U.S. government is preparing evacuation plans for American citizens living in Taiwan, three sources told The Messenger. 

The planning has been underway for at least six months and “it’s heated up over the past two months or so,” said a senior U.S. intelligence official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to discuss the planning. 

 The official said a “heightened level of tension” had driven the preparations. “It’s nothing you wouldn’t read in the news,” he told The Messenger. “Forces building up. China aligning with Russia on Ukraine.”  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: Talk about a lack of confidence in Taiwan and US guarantees to protect them. 

U.S. Government Preparing Evacuation Plans For American Citizens Living In Taiwan  

U.S. planning evacuation of Americans from Taiwan: Report -- Just The News  

Biden Government Preparing Evacuation Plans for American Citizens in Taiwan -- CF  

Biden Admin Prepping Plans To Evacuate Americans From Taiwan: REPORT -- Daily Caller 

US 'preparing to evacuate Americans in Taiwan' as China tensions boil over -- Daily Express  

US draws plans to evacuate Americans from Taiwan – media -- RT

Taiwan's Foreign Minister Says It’s In Talks On Being Brought Under The US Nuclear Umbrella

Taiwan Foreign minister Joseph Wu. CNA 

 First Post: Taiwan wants US 'nuclear umbrella’ similar to Japan, South Korea to deter Chinese invasion  

The desire for such a ‘nuclear umbrella’ against a potential invasion by China – which is already provided to Japan and South Korea by the United States (US) – has reportedly received support from defence experts in Taiwan  

There seems to be a growing demand for a US ‘nuclear umbrella’ in Taiwan amid increasing belligerence by China in the Asia Pacific region. 

The desire for such a ‘nuclear umbrella’ against a potential invasion by China – which is already provided to Japan and South Korea by the United States (US) – has reportedly received support from defence experts in Taiwan. 

The US ‘nuclear umbrella’ will not see the deployment of atomic weapons in Taiwan, but will see the world’s ‘sole superpower’ respond in kind to a nuclear attack by China during an invasion of the island nation.  

Read more ....  #2

Update: Taiwan Says It’s in Talks on Being Brought Under US Nuclear Umbrella (Antiwar.com).  

WNU Editor: There is a lot of speculation on the US extending its "nuclear umbrella" around Taiwan .... US nuclear umbrella for Taiwan: solid cross-strait shield or wishful thinking? (SCMP). More here .... Xi Jinping 'Unlikely' To Go Nuclear On Taiwan Amid Taipei's Bid For US Umbrella: Defense Experts (Benzinga), and here .... Taiwan Eyes US ‘Nuclear Umbrella’ To Deter Chinese Invasion; Will Washington Help Taipei Like Japan & South Korea? (EurAsian Times). 

As to what is my take. 

If you want to ruin U.S. - China relations, what better way to do it than by implementing such a policy.

Update  Hmmmm .... it looks like someone got to the Taiwan Foreign Ministry to change their story .... Foreign ministry dispels reports of Taiwan joining US nuclear umbrella (Taiwan News).

US Lawmakers Publish 10 Ways To Deter China From Attacking Taiwan

TEN FOR TAIWAN: This morning the Select Committee adopted 10 bipartisan policy recommendations for the 118th Congress, which will surge hard power across the international dateline and strengthen deterrence in the Taiwan Strait.

📄Read the full report: https://t.co/Zm6EeaQnjX pic.twitter.com/NTbLtp1F64

— The Select Committee on the CCP (@committeeonccp) May 24, 2023

Defense News: China Committee wants Congress to establish a Taiwan weapons stockpile 

The House China Committee on Wednesday advanced 10 bipartisan recommendations to deter China from attacking Taiwan, which the panel hopes will be included in the fiscal 2024 National Defense Authorization Act. 

The committee agreed by voice vote to advance the Taiwan proposals, drafted as a response to April table top war games led by the Center for a New American Security. Rep. Andy Kim, D-N.J., was the only lawmaker to vote no. 

“At the select committee’s Taiwan war game, we saw the terrifying result of deterrence failure,” Gallagher said in advance of the vote. “If we want to have a hope of stopping World War III, we need to arm Taiwan to the teeth right now. We must clear the embarrassment that is the $19 billion [foreign military sale] backlog.” 

 Read more ....  

Update: US Lawmakers Publish 10 Ways To Prepare For War With China Over Taiwan (Zero Hedge)  

WNU Editor: I can easily see all 10 recommendations being approved overwhelmingly by the US Congress  and the White House.

Former Taiwanese Defence Minister Feng Shih-kuan Says Taiwan May Pay An ‘Unthinkable’ Price For Accepting Free US Weapons

Feng Shih-kuan did not spell out the price the island might be asked to pay. SCMP 

SCMP: Taiwan may pay an ‘unthinkable’ price for accepting free US weapons, says former defence minister 

Former Taiwanese defence minister Feng Shih-kuan has warned that the island will pay a price for accepting free weapons provided by the United States. 

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed recently that the Pentagon would send “additional security assistance” free of charge to the island amid escalating tensions with mainland China. 

“If you suddenly receive such free aid, you need to pay a certain unthinkable price,” Feng told reporters on Thursday when asked to comment on the plan. 

Feng, who now heads Taiwan’s Veterans Affairs Council, declined to say what that price would be.  

Read more ....

Update #1: Taiwan could pay ‘unthinkable’ price for US weapons – ex-defense chief (RT)  

Update #2: Taiwan might pay an ‘unthinkable’ price for accepting free US weapons: Ex Official (Taiwan Times)  

WNU Editor: Former Taiwanese defence minister Feng Shih-kuan​ has a point. You only need to look at Ukraine to know that the price of "free" US aid to Taiwan is war and everything connected with it.

Taiwan's Defense Minister Says Taiwan Will Not Let The U.S. 'Blow Up TSMC' If China Launches An Invasion

Taiwan is home to more than 90% of the manufacturing capacity for the world’s most advanced semiconductors, according to a 2021 Boston Consulting Group report. Pictured here is a TSMC building in Taiwan on April 8, 2022. Bloomberg  

Taiwan News: Defense minister says Taiwan will not let US 'blow up TSMC' during Chinese attack  

'If they want to bomb this or that,' armed forces will not tolerate this kind of situation 

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan Minister of National Defense Chiu Kuo-cheng (邱國正) on Monday (May 8) said that the armed forces would not tolerate the destruction of any Taiwanese facility, in response to a suggestion by U.S. Congressman Seth Moulton that the U.S. should warn China that it would "blow up" Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) if it attacked Taiwan. 

At a conference organized by the California-based think tank Milken Institute in May, Moulton was asked what deterrence effect U.S. chip policy could have on China, to which he responded, "the U.S. should make it very clear to the Chinese that if you invade Taiwan, we're going to blow up TSMC." U.S. defense policy advisor and former government official Michele Flournoy quickly countered his remark, saying that if TSMC was destroyed, there would be a "two trillion dollar impact on the global economy within the first year" and "you'd put manufacturing around the world at a standstill." 

Read more ....  

Update: Taiwan Says Its Military Won’t Let the US Blow Up Semiconductor Factories (Antiwar.com)  

WNU Editor: What can Taiwan's Defense Minister say? Sure .... blow up our semiconductor industry.

Taiwan Says F-16 Deliveries Delayed For One Year

File Image: Taiwan’s Chiashan facility. F-16 Viper in an underground tunnel 

EurAsian Times: F-16 Vipers, That Can ‘Wipe Off’ Invading Chinese Warplanes, Struck By Delays; Taiwan Seeks US Help For Next-Gen Fighters  

On May 4, Taiwan announced that the delivery of F-16V (Viper) fighter jets from the US had been postponed due to supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

In 2019, the United States greenlit a US$8 billion sale of F-16 fighter jets from Lockheed Martin to Taiwan. As a result of the deal, the island’s F-16 fleet would become the largest in Asia, exceeding 200 aircraft. 

The deal is intended to enhance Taiwan’s defense capabilities as tensions rise with China, which continues to assert its claim over the island nation. 

However, Taiwan’s Defense Minister, Chiu Kuo-cheng, disclosed that the delivery of 66 advanced F-16Vs from the US has been delayed because of supply chain issues.  

Read more .... 

Taiwan Says F-16 Deliveries Delayed For One Year  

Taiwan Says F-16 Deliveries Delayed, Working to Minimise Damage -- Reuters  

Taiwan F-16V delivery schedule slips on supply chain woes -- Flight Global 

F-16V deliveries to Taiwan postponed until late 2024 -- Taiwan News  

Taiwan F-16V Deliveries Delayed By A Year -- Aviation News

Taiwan To Buy 400 US Anti-Ship Missiles

FILE PHOTO: Combat readiness mission at the airbase in Hualien © Thomson Reuters 

Bloomberg: Taiwan to Buy 400 US Anti-Ship Missiles Intended to Repel a China Invasion 

(Bloomberg) -- Taiwan will buy as many as 400 land-launched Harpoon missiles intended to repel a potential Chinese invasion, completing a deal that Congress approved in 2020, according to a trade group’s leader and people familiar with the issue. 

Taiwan has previously purchased ship-launched versions of the Harpoon, which is made by Boeing Co. Now, a contract with Boeing issued on Taiwan’s behalf by the US Naval Air Systems Command marks a first for the mobile, land-launched version, according to Rupert Hammond-Chambers, president of the US-Taiwan Business Council. Three other people familiar with the deal, including an industry official, confirmed the contract is for Taiwan. 

The Pentagon announced the $1.7 billion contract with Boeing on April 7 but made no mention of Taiwan as the purchaser. The deal comes as US-China tensions are high, particularly over Taiwan, the self-governed island that China claims as part of its territory. China held military drills around Taiwan after its president met in California this month with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. 

Read more ....  

Update #1: Taiwan to buy 400 US anti-ship missiles to face China threat -Bloomberg News (Reuters)  

Update #2: Taiwan to buy 400 US anti-ship missiles to repel China in major WW3 escalation (Express)  

WNU Editor: Expect even more arms sales .... US Arms Industry Planning First Taiwan Trip in Four Years (April 16, 2023).

U.S. Warship USS Milius Transits The Taiwan Strait

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Milius (DDG 69), deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, conducts a Taiwan Strait transit operation, at an undisclosed location in this handout picture released on April 17, 2023. U.S. Navy/Handout via REUTERS  

Reuters: US warship sails through Taiwan Strait following China war games 

TAIPEI/BEIJING (Reuters) -The U.S. warship USS Milius sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Sunday, in what the U.S. Navy described on Monday as a "routine" transit, just days after China ended its latest war games around the island. 

China, which views Taiwan as its own territory, officially ended its three days of exercises around Taiwan last Monday where it practiced precision strikes and blockading the island. 

It staged the drills to express anger at Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen's meeting with U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy, viewing it as an interference in China's internal affairs and U.S. support for Taiwan's separate identity from China.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: The US warship USS Milius was closely watched as it made its transit .... US navy patrols Taiwan Strait while 18 Chinese military planes, 4 ships tracked (Taiwan News). 

 U.S. Warship USS Milius Transits The Taiwan Strait  

UPDATED: U.S. Destroyer Transits Taiwan Strait -- USNI News  

Navy sends warship through Taiwan Strait after Chinese exercise around Taiwan -- The Hill  

US Warship Sails Through Taiwan Strait Days After China Drills -- AFP 

US warship sails through Taiwan Strait days after China war games -- RTE  

US warship sails through Taiwan Strait following China war games -- Al Jazeera

US Arms Industry Planning First Taiwan Trip in Four Years

U.S. airmen stand by a U.S. Air Force drone in March 2016. Unmanned vehicles are considered key to deterring a Chinese attack on Taiwan. © Reuters 

Nikkei Asia: U.S. defense industry plans first Taiwan trip in four years  

Contractors to explore co-production of drones and ammunition 

WASHINGTON -- Around 25 U.S. defense contractors plan to send representatives to Taiwan in early May to discuss joint production of drones and ammunition, US Taiwan Business Council President Rupert Hammond-Chambers told Nikkei, as Washington explores various options to help bolster the island's defenses. 

The delegation will be led by Steven Rudder, the retired commander of the U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific. This would be the first large group of envoys focused specifically on the defense industry to visit Taiwan from the U.S. since 2019. 

In addition to talks with representatives from the Taiwanese defense industry, it is looking to meet with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen.

Read more ....  

Update: US Arms Industry Planning First Taiwan Trip in Four Years (Antiwar.com)  

WNU Editor: The U.S. arms industry may want to sell more weapons to Taiwan, but they should get rid of their backlog of arms deliveries to Taiwan first .... Slow arms deliveries to Taiwan blamed on US production bottlenecks (Defense News).

Should America Go To War Over Semiconductor Chips?

Chuck Todd: Make the case for why Americans should be willing to go to war over Taiwan
Michael McCaul: Well it's about controlling semiconductors
Todd: So kind of like fighting wars for oil?
McCaul: Uhh, well actually it's about protecting democracy and freedom pic.twitter.com/CLcPDRyx3T

— Caitlin Johnstone (@caitoz) April 10, 2023

Zero Hedge: Spilling American Blood & Treasure For Semiconductor Chips 

The below is an incredibly revealing interview clip featuring Republican Representative from Texas Michael McCaul. In the exchange with Chuck Todd of NBC's Meet the Press on Sunday, McCaul bluntly states (or perhaps inadvertently admits) that he's willing to go to war with China over Taiwan based on protecting the world's semiconductor supply. Importantly, he is the powerful chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. 

"Make the basic case for why Americans not only should care about what happens in Taiwan, but should be willing to spill American blood and treasure to defend Taiwan," Todd asked at the outset of the interview. Rep. McCaul responded immediately that "no one wants that" and this it's about "deterrence".  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: If the above comments my the House Foreign Affairs Chairman is any indication, the answer is yes, Washington believes that American blood should be spilled for semiconductor chips.

Senior US Congressman Says US May Send Troops To Taiwan Should China Invade

🇺🇸 🇹🇼 🇨🇳Sending US troops to Taiwan is "on the table," says Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs of the US Michael McCaul pic.twitter.com/b5EDQ7d3Rr

— AZ 🛰🌏🌍🌎 (@AZgeopolitics) April 8, 2023

NYPost: US troops in Taiwan 'on the table' if China invades, Michael McCaul says W

ASHINGTON — House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Rep. Michael McCaul has said the US may send troops to Taiwan should China invade the self-governed island. 

“If communist China invaded Taiwan, it would certainly be on the table and something that would be discussed by Congress and with the American people,” the Texas Republican told Fox News. 

“Are they prepared to do this? Is Taiwan worth it? I can argue for a lot of reasons why it is.” 

The potential move would represent a stark contrast to the th

e war in Ukraine, where the US has sent billions in weaponry to Kyiv but has refused to send troops. “[To deploy troops,] you’re talking about an authorized use of military force that would come out of my committee or a declaration of war, which we haven’t utilized since World War II,” McCaul said during a three-day trip to Taipei at the head of a congressional delegation.  

Read more ....  

Update: Conflict with China 'last resort' but Congress will authorize troops if Americans support it: McCaul (FOX News).  

WNU Editor: I do not see the American public supporting a policy to go to war against China to defend Taiwan. But I could be wrong.  

Update #2: House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Rep. Michael McCaul is correct about this .... McCaul says China could influence, take over Taiwan in next election ‘without a shot fired’ (The Hill). Taiwan President Tsai’s party suffered losses in recent local elections (link here), and my gut tells me that many Taiwanese do not want to suffer the same fate as Ukraine. That diplomacy and accommodation with China are the preferred options.  

Update #3: The Chinese are sending a message to Washington .... China military ‘ready to fight’ after drills near Taiwan (AP).

US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy To Meet Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen In California On Wednesday

 

CNN: McCarthy to meet with Taiwan’s president in California on Wednesday  

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is poised to meet with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen on Wednesday – a historic event that comes amid warnings from China. The California Republican’s office shared details of the meeting in a release Monday morning. 

The release states that McCarthy will host a bipartisan meeting with Tsai at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California. 

The meeting has been long anticipated and is all-but-guaranteed to rattle the tense relationship between the US and China, which became even more fraught after a Chinese spy balloon floated over North America and was then shot down by US fighter jets in February.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: U.S. - China relations are in the toilet right now. This meeting will definitely make it worse .... Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen is meeting US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Beijing is not happy about it (ABC News Australia). China's official reaction is here .... Tsai’s activities in US will make it ‘more difficult’ for Biden to engage China (Global Times) 

US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy To Meet Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen In California On Wednesday 

US House Speaker McCarthy to meet Taiwan's leader despite China warnings -- France 24  

US House speaker to host Taiwan president on Wednesday in California -- Reuters  

Speaker McCarthy’s office confirms meeting with Taiwan’s president, which has drawn criticism from China -- FOX News  

China renews threats as Taiwan president greeted by crowds in New York -- The Guardian  

US House Speaker McCarthy to meet Taiwan president this week -- Al Jazeera

New Poll Says US Voters Willing To Commit U.S. Naval And Air Power To Defend Taiwan Against A Chinese Invasion, But Against Sending Ground Troops

Most voters are willing to commit U.S. naval and air power to defending Taiwan against a Chinese invasion, but draw the line at sending ground troops to fight in such a conflicthttps://t.co/mvytXosOm0 pic.twitter.com/5JG2KtmGKb

— Rasmussen Reports (@Rasmussen_Poll) February 26, 2023

EurAsian Times: ‘No Boots On Ground‘: Majority Of US Voters ‘Chicken Out’ From Sending Soldiers To Taiwan To Battle China 

In an interesting reflection of American society, a recent survey found a massive majority of likely voters backing intervention in support of Taiwan – but without boots on the ground. 

They agree that the US should militarily intervene, but with only jets and warships and not with soldiers, which entails higher casualties. 

The findings in the survey by Rasmussen Reports put the figure at 79% who would support the United States imposing economic sanctions on China for invading Taiwan, including 60% who would ‘Strongly Support’ sanctions. Only 12% would oppose sanctions if China invaded Taiwan.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone and online survey finds that 79% of Likely U.S. Voters would support the United States imposing economic sanctions on China for invading Taiwan, including 60% who would Strongly Support sanctions. Only 12% would oppose sanctions if China invaded Taiwan.

As to sending in troops, the numbers are close. 46% say they would oppose the U.S. sending ground troops to defend Taiwan in the event of an invasion by China, compared to 42% who say they would support it. 

 More details on the poll are here .... Rasmussen Poll: Plurality Doesn't Want to Defend Taiwan With Ground Troops (NewsMax).

U.S. To Bolster Its Troop Presence In Taiwan For Training Against Threats From China

The U.S. is more than quadrupling its troop presence in Taiwan for training against threat from China https://t.co/v82nS5aUXK

— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) February 23, 2023

FOX News: US sending up to 200 more troops to Taiwan as China tensions grow  

Only 30 American troops were in Taiwan a year ago, report says 

The U.S. is preparing to send 100 to 200 troops to Taiwan for training amid rising tensions with China, a U.S. official familiar with the planning confirmed to Fox News on Thursday. 

This number will expand a much smaller training program which has included the National Guard, Special Ops, and U.S. Marines in the past. 

The Michigan National Guard will also train a contingent of the Taiwanese Army, including some training as part of larger exercises, on U.S. soil. 

The Wall Street Journal, which first reported the news, cited U.S. officials as saying only around 30 American troops were stationed in Taiwan about a year ago.  

Read more ....  

Update: US to Bolster Its Small Force on Taiwan in New Signal to China (Bloomberg)  

WNU Editor: It looks like this announcement is a follow-up on the latest U.S. - Taiwan talks .... US, Taiwan Officials Conclude Substantial Talks on Security Issues (VOA).

President Tsai Says Taiwan Will Bolster Its Military Ties With The US

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen meets US Congressman Ro Khanna, a member of the US House China Select Committee, and other members of the US delegation at the presidential office in Taipei, Taiwan, in this handout photo released on February 21, 2023. © Taiwan Presidential Office, Reuters 

France 24: Taiwan vows to deepen ties with US amid tensions with China 

Taiwan will boost military exchanges with the United States to curb "authoritarian expansionism", President Tsai Ing-wen said Tuesday after meeting with visiting US lawmakers. 

The five-day US Congressional visit comes after a top US defense official reportedly made a rare and highly secretive stopover to the self-ruled island as Washington-Beijing tensions flared over alleged Chinese spy balloons. 

"Taiwan and the United States continue to bolster military exchanges," Tsai said after convening with the US delegation at her office in Taipei. "Going forward, Taiwan will cooperate even more actively with the United States and other democratic partners to confront such global challenges as authoritarian expansionism and climate change." 

Tsai did not provide further details on what the future exchanges might entail.  

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: China has responded .... Any separatist act of soliciting foreign support will only backfire, FM warns as Tsai vows to enhance military ties with US (Global Times). 

President Tsai Says Taiwan Will Bolster Its Military Ties With The US  

Taiwan to bolster military ties with US -- DW  

Taiwan is bolstering military exchanges with U.S., President Tsai says -- Reuters  

Tsai Ing-wen says Taiwan bolstering military exchanges with US -- Al Jazeera 

Taiwan boosting military ties with Washington – president -- RT

With Tensions Rising Between China And the U.S., The Pentagon's Top Chinese Defense Official Is In Taiwan For An Official Visit

Reuters: Pentagon's top China official has arrived in Taiwan, FT reports 

TAIPEI (Reuters) -The Pentagon's top China official, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Michael Chase, has arrived in Taiwan for a visit, the Financial Times reported on Friday citing a source, on a trip that could exacerbate tension between Beijing and Washington.

Both Taiwan's Defence Ministry and Pentagon declined to comment. "We don't have a comment on specific operations, engagements, or training, but I would highlight that our support for, and defence relationship with, Taiwan remains aligned against the current threat posed by the People's Republic of China," a Pentagon spokesperson said.

Read more ....  

Update #1: US Sending Pentagon Official to Taiwan Soon, FT Reports (Bloomberg)  

Update #2: Key Pentagon Official In Taiwan Amid Rising U.S.-China Tensions, Report Says (Forbes)  

WNU Editor: This "official" visit is news to Taiwan's defense minister .... Taiwan defence minister unsure about reported visit of U.S. official (Reuters).

US To Sell An Anti-Tank Mine-Laying System To Taiwan

FILE - US Army soldiers conduct Volcano system training using a UH-60 Blackhawk at Makua Range, Hawaii, June 23, 2020

Reuters: U.S. approves potential sale of anti-tank systems to Taiwan for $180 mln 

The U.S. State Department has approved the possible sale of Volcano anti-tank mine-laying systems to Taiwan for an estimated $180 million, the Pentagon said on Wednesday. 

Northrop Grumman and Oshkosh Corporation are the prime contractors for the potential sale. U.S. law requires the executive branch to notify Congress of potential arms sales that are over a certain amount. 

But these notifications are usually not made unless lawmakers have given the State Department and Pentagon informal approval to move ahead.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: There is currently a $19 billion backlog of US arms to Taiwan .... U.S. Needs to Clear $19B in Arms Sale Backlog to Taiwan, says HASC member (USNI News). 

US To Sell An Anti-Tank Mine-Laying System To Taiwan  

US to sell Taiwan anti-tank system amid rising China threat -- AP  

US sells anti-tank systems to Taiwan amid tension with China -- DW 

US clears sale of $180m anti-tank systems to Taiwan -- Al Jazeera