Taiwan parliament authorises signing of stalled US$9 billion US arms deals
CNA
A second arms package, worth around US$14 billion, could be approved for Taiwan after US President Donald Trump visits Beijing later this month.
TAIPEI: Taiwan's parliament authorised the government on Friday (Mar 13) to sign US agreements for four arms sales packages worth some US$9 billion, after officials warned that Taipei would go to the back of the queue if it missed the deadline, sending the wrong message to Washington.
The back and forth on Taiwan's defence spending has provoked concern in the United States, as it is the most important international backer and arms supplier of the Chinese-claimed island, despite a lack of formal diplomatic ties.
"This body upholds the principle of placing national security first and firmly defending territorial integrity," parliament speaker Han Kuo-yu said, reading the resolution, which passed unanimously.
He urged the government to submit a complete report on the weapons delivery schedule for parliament to review after it signs the letters.
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A second arms package, worth around US$14 billion, could be approved for Taiwan after US President Donald Trump visits Beijing later this month.
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