The U.S. Approved Sale of new Fighter Jets to Taiwan, Trump administration has given “tacit approval” to request for 60 new F-16 fighter jets
The United States and China appear to be heading toward a major confrontation over the possible sale of American fighters to Taiwan.
Last week, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen confirmed that the country’s Ministry of Defense had submitted a formal request to Washington, D.C., to purchase F-16V Viper fighters. Tsai said the decision to make the request was supported by a review of Taiwan’s defense needs.
The Trump administration is reportedly ready to approve the sale of dozens of new fighter jets to Taiwan
Before the process of the request, the Trump administration is already known for having encouraged Taiwan to buy weapons from the U.S., and the White House so far has refused to comment nor confirm the issue.
China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Geng Shuang criticized the news on March 22, saying that China urged the U.S. to stop the military transaction with Taiwan, which China believes is a breakaway province.
If that report is true, the United States would be turning course on what has been a longstanding reluctance to sell fighters to Taiwan, even as it has authorized other arms sales in line with the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, which requires the U.S. government to support Taiwan “with arms of a defensive character.”
The island’s fleet of roughly 150 Block 20 F-16A/B fighters is currently being upgraded to the F-16V standard, providing capabilities nearly identical to the advanced Block 70 F-16s Taiwan is looking to buy now
