US Midterm Elections End but Taiwan Arms Sales Plans Said to Continue

Despite the end of the US midterm elections, arms sales programs for Taiwan will continue, it is said

November 5

Amid US political changes, the US Congress will continue to support arms sales and defense assistance for Taiwan, Taiwan's Defense Minister Wellington Koo said.

After the Democratic Party won both chambers of Congress in the US midterm elections, Taiwan's defense minister responded to reporters' questions about whether there could be changes to the $14 billion arms sales program for Taiwan.

The defense minister said the US Congress has always supported enhancing Taiwan's defense capabilities regardless of party affiliation, and that they will continue to coordinate with lawmakers as well as the US military to ensure arms sales programs are implemented on time.

US President Donald Trump approved an $11 billion arms sale to Taiwan last December, but the additional $14 billion arms sales program was suspended after his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Also, last September, four Republican US lawmakers urged the Trump administration to restore more than $15 billion in suspended security assistance to Taiwan.

China has repeatedly demanded that the US stop arms sales to Taiwan, but under US law, there is an obligation to provide necessary assistance for Taiwan's self-defense.

Ref & Photo: Reuters

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