President Biden made an announcement on Friday regarding $345 million in military assistance for Taiwan. This assistance is authorized by Congress and allows the weapons to be drawn directly from U.S. stockpiles. The announcement was published as a memorandum to the Secretary of State, directing the provision of defense articles and services to Taiwan.
The military package includes intelligence and surveillance capabilities, man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS), firearms, and missiles. This information comes from a congressional staffer familiar with the package. The authorization for this weapons transfer to Taiwan comes from the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) approved by Congress last year.
When asked about the timing of the announcement, National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby told reporters to “stay tuned.” He emphasized the U.S.’s responsibility to Taiwan and the commitment to improving their self-defense capabilities. The goal is to provide enough military capabilities to deter any potential invasion or blockade from the People’s Republic of China (PRC). U.S. officials have expressed concerns about the PRC’s military preparations against Taiwan, which are expected to reach a critical capability by 2027.
While Taiwan does not officially declare independence, it receives support from the U.S. to resist forced takeover attempts by Beijing, either militarily or economically. Congress has approved $1 billion in weapons transfers for Taiwan in the 2023 budget, and there have been calls to address the backlog of weapons sales to the country. Failure to resupply Taiwan in the event of a military conflict would pose significant challenges.
Representative Michael McCaul, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and a visitor to Taiwan in May, expressed his support for the weapons package but also criticized the delayed and limited response from the Biden administration. He emphasized the importance of providing necessary defense articles to enable Taiwan to maintain deterrence and self-defense capabilities.
In conclusion, President Biden has taken action to provide military assistance to Taiwan, enhancing its defense capabilities amid growing concerns about the PRC’s intentions. The U.S. remains committed to supporting Taiwan’s ability to resist any potential aggression.
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