Korean media: Trump vetoes $400 million arms aid to Taiwan... "Should buy directly"

It has been confirmed that US President Donald Trump vetoed a $400 million (approximately 55.5 billion KRW) defense assistance plan for Taiwan.

On the local time of the 18th, the Washington Post (WP) cited sources saying that the defense assistance plan vetoed by Trump included more lethal equipment such as ammunition and drones than before. This arms aid plan for Taiwan was approved by former President Biden during his term through procedures such as the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA).

PDA is a privilege of the US president, allowing the president to directly draw military supplies held by the US military without requiring separate approval from Congress. It is reported that including long-term military assistance, Biden approved three rounds of military assistance plans for Taiwan, totaling $2 billion (approximately 270 billion KRW). Biden had used the PDA 35 times to provide weapons to Ukraine.

It is reported that the Trump administration is pushing for large-scale arms sales to Taiwan, replacing arms aid. According to WP, the Trump administration believes that Taiwan, with its favorable economic conditions, should purchase weapons from the United States. During Trump's first term, he also sold weapons worth $20 billion (approximately 279 billion KRW) to Taiwan.

According to sources, at a defense officials meeting held in Anchorage in August, the US and Taiwan have reached an agreement on the large-scale procurement of American weapons, with the total scale reaching several billion dollars (approximately several trillion KRW), and Taiwan plans to pay for this expense by passing a bill to add defense budget expenditures. It is reported that the Trump administration informed Congress informally this week about the possibility of the first round of $500 million (approximately 70 billion KRW) arms sales to Taiwan.

The White House responded to the report, stating that no final decision has been made on the security assistance plan for Taiwan.

Source: Chosun Ilbo

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1843692590618634/

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