Trump administration approves nearly $2.4 billion in arms sales to Taiwan

The administration of US President Donald Trump has approved nearly $2.4 billion in arms sales to Taiwan despite opposition from China.

Up to 100 Boeing-made Harpoon Coastal Defense Systems and 400 Harpoon Block II Surface Launched Missiles are among the arms, Washington is selling Taiwan, the State Department notified Congress of on Monday.

US steps up support for Taiwan in defiance of China

The United States steps up its support for Taiwan in defiance of China, which views the self-ruled island as part of its territory.

According to the US the Defense Department, the arms sale will help Taiwan “improve the security of the recipient and assist in maintaining political stability, military balance, economic and progress in the region” through employing “a highly reliable and effective system to counter or deter maritime aggressions, coastal blockades, and amphibious assaults.”

Three additional weapons deals worth a combined $1.8 billion were also announced on Wednesday.

Relations between Washington and Beijing have already been deteriorating as the US president keeps blaming China for the spread of the coronavirus.

China threatens US with ‘legitimate response’ over arms sales to Taiwan

China censures the United States’ approval of advanced arms sales to Taiwan as interference in its domestic affairs and warns of a “legitimate response.”

China considers the self-ruled island as a breakaway province that should be reunited with the mainland under the internationally-recognized “One China” policy. Almost all world countries, including the US, recognize that sovereignty.

Although Washington has no formal relations with Taipei, it is the island’s largest weapons supplier and an avid backer of Taiwan’s secessionist president Tsai Ing-wen.

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