Taiwan government says the United States did not notify a pause in US$14 billion arms sales

Taiwan has not been notified of any pause in a planned $14 billion U.S. arms sale, a government official said on Friday. Trump, raising doubts about the continuation of arms sales to Taiwan - a territory claimed by China -, Cao said on Thursday (21) that the agreements will be resumed when the government deems it appropriate.
"Right now, we are pausing to ensure that we have the munitions necessary for 'Epic Fury,'" Cao told the US Senate Defense Subcommittee, in reference to the name given by the Trump administration to the operation against Iran.
"After that, military sales abroad will continue when the government consider necessary," he added.
Taiwanese authorities said they had seen reports on the subject, but said they had not received official information about changes to the agreement.
"There is currently no information about any adjustments that the US could make to these arms sales," said Taiwanese presidential spokeswoman Karen Kuo.
China considers Taiwan a breakaway province that should be reunified with Chinese territory, including by force if necessary.
As do other countries that maintain formal diplomatic relations with Beijing, the US does not recognize Taiwan as an independent country. Even so, Washington is the island's main ally and arms supplier.
Trump's Republican administration authorized an $11 billion arms package for Taiwan in December, but the deal has not yet moved forward.
In addition, American lawmakers approved in January a separate arms sale worth $14 billion. The package, however, still depends on Trump formally sending it to Congress to move forward.
In an interview with Fox News, during his return to the US after a trip to Beijing last week, Trump stated that the sale of arms to Taiwan is "a great bargaining chip" in relations between Washington and China.
On Wednesday (20), when marking two years of government, the president of Taiwan, Lai Ching-te, said that, if he had the opportunity, he would ask Trump to maintain sales of American arms, which he considers essential for peace.
China reacts
When asked about Cao's statements, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said that China's opposition to US arms sales to Taiwan is "consistent, clear and firm".
Last week, during Trump's visit to Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a blunt warning to the American leader.
According to Xi, the "Taiwan issue" is the most pressing issue important in relations between China and the US and could lead the two countries to "shocks and even conflicts" if not handled properly.
Later, Trump told journalists that he needed to talk to "the person who is in charge of Taiwan", without mentioning Lai, considered a separatist by Beijing.
A possible conversation between Trump and Lai would probably irritate China, which tends to react strongly to visits by American politicians to Taiwan.
Karen Kuo said on Friday that there is no new information about a possible conversation between Lai and Trump.

Source: G1

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