America ratchets up cross-straits tensions with US$2.2b arms sale

THE Trump administration's decision to sell US$2.2 billion in military hardware to Taiwan seems to be another move in the geopolitical chess game being played out between Washington and Beijing.

This time it's the sale of 108 Abrams tanks, 250 Stinger shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles, related equipment and support services. It follows three other deals - for torpedoes, anti-radiation missiles and missile components worth another US$2.25 billion - since President Donald Trump took office in 2017. Even so, the arms package falls short of Taiwan's own desire for 66 F-16V fighter jets as well.

Beijing has threatened to sanction US companies involved in the sale and appears to have held air and naval drills in the vicinity. The Trump administration is holding fast to its position by saying these weapons will not change the balance of power and are only meant for self defence purposes. As well, the sales are within the ambit of the Three Communiques, which govern relations between Washington and Beijing.