Washington’s US$1.8 billion arms sale to Taiwan is first weapons deal of its kind in over 40 years

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for free here: The US government has approved a US$1.8 billion arms sale to Taiwan, which analysts said was the first meaningful sale of offensive weapons to the island in more than 40 years. Washington will sell truck-based rocket launchers, airborne reconnaissance sensors, cruise missiles and 64 tactical missiles capable of hitting targets 300km (186 miles) away, or within range of coastal areas of mainland China. US President Donald Trump’s administration has ramped up support for Taipei through arms sales and visits by senior officials. On October 22, 2020, Beijing officials said the sale violated China’s sovereignty and that it would make necessary responses. Taipei insists it is not trying to confront its neighbour across the Taiwan Strait, which considers the self-ruled island a wayward province. (Photo: AP)