translated from Spanish: US approves possible sale of 2 mmdd on missiles and tanks to Taiwan

Washington– The U.S. Department of Defense today reported a possible sale of missiles and tanks to Taiwan, worth more than $2.2 billion, in an agreement that, according to Washington, “will not alter basic military balances in the region.” The transaction involves the sale to Taiwan of 108 M1A2T Abrams type tanks, as well as 250 Stinger missiles.

The agreement, which was agreed between the Pentagon Agency for Security and Cooperation and the Taipei Representative Economic and Cultural Office in Washington, also includes other vehicles and ammunition. The Pentagon on Monday informed Congress of the possible military sale to Taiwan, with which the U.S. strengthens its position as the main arms supplier to the island. In that communication, the Department of Defense argued that the transaction “will not alter basic military balances in the region.” The Abrams M1A2T “will contribute to the modernization of the vessel’s tank fleet, increasing their ability to face present and future regional threats, and strengthen their national security.” With the missiles, Taiwan seeks to “expand the structure of its existing defense area to respond to threats.” In May, top U.S. and Taiwan security chiefs John Bolton and David Lee, respectively, held a meeting for the first time since the breakdown of diplomatic relations between the two 40 years ago, a meeting that Beijing regretted. Shortly after winning the White House election, Trump had already sparked his first diplomatic crisis with China by speaking with Taiwan’s president, Tsai Ing-wen, on the highest-level contact between Taipei and Washington since 1979.Later, Trump questioned the “One China” policy adopted by former President Jimmy Carter and is still in effect today, though he later committed to his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, to respect it. Trump, however, has had other gestures with Taiwan since he came to power, such as threats of retaliation against Taiwanese diplomatic allies to break his relations with the island in favor of China.In addition, Tsai is expected to spend four days in the U.S. July as part of a Caribbean tour, although they have not transcended details of their agenda. 



Original source in Spanish

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