Biden Admin greenlights historic military aid to Taiwan via program for sovereign nations.
The Biden Administration Bolsters Taiwan’s Self-Defense
The Biden administration has made a historic decision to enhance Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities through a State Department program typically used for sovereign nations. This move marks the first-ever military transfer to Taiwan under this program.
The State Department recently notified Congress of an $80 million military equipment package through its Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program. The notification states that the FMF will be used to strengthen Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities, including joint and combined defense capability, enhanced maritime domain awareness, and maritime security capability.
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The Associated Press first reported this significant development. A State Department spokesperson confirmed the military transfer, emphasizing that previous arms sales to Taiwan were approved under different authorities that did not necessarily imply statehood.
“The United States has provided Foreign Military Sales (FMS) to Taiwan for years. FMF simply enables eligible partner nations to purchase U.S. defense articles, services, and training through either FMS or, for a limited number of countries, through the foreign military financing of direct commercial contracts (FMF/DCC) program,” the spokesperson stated.
In January, Taiwan’s defense ministry announced a major FMS arms deal with the United States, acquiring air-to-air and anti-ship missiles, among other military equipment. The spokesperson clarified that the recent military aid does not reflect any change in the U.S. one China policy, reiterating that the United States does not support Taiwan independence.
Despite not having formal diplomatic ties, the United States and Taiwan maintain a strong relationship based on the Taiwan Relations Act. This law allows the United States to provide military equipment to Taiwan for self-defense.
Taiwan’s Response and China’s Reaction
Taiwan, a self-ruled island facing constant coercion and military threats from China, welcomed the military transfer. Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense expressed gratitude to the U.S. government, stating that the decision will contribute to regional peace and stability.
China’s defense ministry spokesperson, Wu Qian, responded with hawkish rhetoric, stating that the Chinese military will take necessary measures to resolutely counter the U.S. military aid.
According to U.S. officials, the African Union is the only other non-nation-state that has received military aid under the FMF program. The specific military equipment or systems to be paid for under the FMF are currently unknown. However, potential items include air and coastal defense systems, armored vehicles, drones, cyber defenses, and advanced communications equipment.
Representative Michael McCaul, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, welcomed the Biden administration’s decision, emphasizing that it will strengthen U.S. deterrence posture and ensure national security against an increasingly aggressive Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
In December of last year, President Joe Biden signed the Taiwan Enhanced Resilience Act (TERA) into law as part of the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The TERA authorizes $10 billion in grants and loans to provide military equipment to Taiwan over the next five years to deter CCP aggression.
To intimidate Taiwan, the CCP has been conducting military drills and sending military aircraft and naval vessels near the island.
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