US Plans to Sell USD 1.42 Billion weapons to Taiwan

WASHINGTON - The United States plans to sell weapons to Taiwan for $ 1.42 billion or equivalent to Rp18.9 trillion (estimated exchange rate of Rp13.346 / USD). Quoting from Reuters on Friday (30/06/2017), arms sales to Taiwan under the Donald Trump government, is suspected to make China upset.

US State Department Spokesman Heather Nauert said Congress had approved the plan for the sale of the weapons. The $ 1.42 billion value includes technical support for early warning radar, high speed anti-radiation missiles, torpedoes and missile components.

Nauert said the sale was an American support for Taiwan to defend itself. However, the United States will not change the "One China" policy that has been in place since 1979.

Perhaps, this sale as a Tit for Tat strategy from America, where China is considered less able to pressure allies of North Korea in dampening ambitions missile test Kim Jong-un.

US arms sales to Taiwan also became the first under the Trump era, which earlier in December 2015, Barack Obama has approved the sale of weapons worth USD1, 83 billion, which makes China anxious. Obama's era sales package, including two naval frigates, anti-tank missiles, and amphibious transport vehicles.

A US State Department official said the latest package of this sale to improve the defense capabilities of Taiwan, which previously analog era into the digital era.

Taiwan's Ministry of Defense itself says the procurement of the main tool of this weapon system will improve combat capability, sea fighter and early warning defense. "We will as soon as possible discuss with the United States about the purchase, duration, amount and other details, and plan a follow-up budget," the Taiwan Defense Ministry said.

The US Republican Party says the sale is also a step towards consolidating security partnerships to maintain long-term stability in the region.

"The sale of defense weapons to Taiwan's needs is a key provision of our commitments as Taiwan Relations Act and Six Assurances," said Republican Ed Royce, referring to US informal laws and informal guidelines with Taiwan.

The law made China angry with Washington. On Thursday, China called for it to stage a rally after the US Senate Committee also approved a bill calling for a resumption of US Navy visits to the Port of Taiwan. Since 1979 alias since the US recognizes "One China", their navy is absent visiting ports in Taiwan.

The new bill also directs the US Department of Defense alias Pentagon to help Taiwan develop underwater war programs to strengthen strategic cooperation with Taipei.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said beleid above violated the principles of US-China relations, and called on Washington to stop military training and arms sales to Taiwan.

US officials told Reuters that sales were below the Trump era, as Americans have been frustrated by China, which is considered to be serious in acting for North Korea and overcoming the trade deficit.

According to the official, Trump is now beginning to reconsider trade against Beijing. Whereas in April, the two countries agreed to increase trade relations after the arrival of Chinese President Xi Jinping to the Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, Miami.

For China itself, they can thwart this sale by utilizing the G20 summit meeting in Germany next week. US National Security Adviser McMaster told the media, in a G20 meeting Trump's plan to meet with Xi.

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