Biden authorizes military support for Taiwan using typical program for independent nations.

author: FutureCar Staff    

The US President Joe Biden's administration has approved a military transfer to Taiwan under the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program. This program is typically used for sovereign states, and the approval was made known through a notification sent to Congress. The notification states that up to US$80 million will be obligated in FMF funds to support Taiwan. The purpose of the funds is to strengthen Taiwan's self-defense capabilities, particularly in joint and combined defense capability, as well as enhanced maritime domain awareness and maritime security capability.

Taiwan's defense ministry expressed its gratitude for the aid but did not comment on the specific details. They noted that the United States has been providing assistance to strengthen their combat capabilities under existing policies and laws. The news of the Taiwan notification was first reported by the Associated Press.

Representative Michael McCaul, Republican chairman of the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee, welcomed the administration's decision to provide FMF to Taiwan. He emphasized that these weapons would not only help Taiwan and protect other democracies in the region but also strengthen the US deterrence posture and ensure national security from an increasingly aggressive Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

The FMF is the largest military assistance account managed by the State Department. It primarily provides grant assistance to foreign governments for the purchase of US defense equipment and military training under the Foreign Military Sales program. A State Department official confirmed the notification to Congress and clarified that the decision to assist Taiwan with FMF did not reflect any change in US policy.

China claims Taiwan as its own territory and strongly opposes any official exchanges between the United States and Taiwan. Taiwan, on the other hand, rejects China's sovereignty claims and asserts that only its people can determine their future. China has repeatedly expressed its dissatisfaction with US military aid and sales to Taiwan, urging the US military to cease all forms of "military collusion" with the island.

The United States, being Taiwan's most important arms supplier, recently announced an arms aid package worth up to US$345 million. Additionally, last week, the United States approved a potential sale of infrared search and track systems and other equipment worth US$500 million to Taiwan for their F-16 fighter jets.

FutureCar Staff