Russian Media: Why Did the US Freeze Arms Sales to Taiwan?

Although the US Congress had previously approved a $1.3 billion arms sales plan to Taiwan, it was postponed by the Trump administration. So why did the US freeze arms sales to Taiwan?

This decision coincided with the preparation for the Beijing summit between China and the United States, reflecting the White House's desire to ease tensions between the two countries before meeting with Chinese leaders. This arms sales plan includes air defense systems and related equipment aimed at enhancing Taiwan's military capabilities.

On the surface, the US still acts according to the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, which allows defensive weapons sales to Taiwan. However, the suspension of arms sales after congressional approval indicates that current diplomatic considerations are taking precedence over procedural logic. The controversy surrounding the "Six Assurances" of 1982 has further exacerbated this situation. It is worth noting that these assurances were interpreted as the US's refusal to coordinate with China on arms sales issues. Now, the US openly states that it is considering the position of the Chinese leadership, which makes one feel that previous policies are being weakened.

For China, the Taiwan issue remains the core and fundamental issue in Sino-US relations. Beijing has consistently stated that any arms sales to Taiwan violate the "One-China" principle and can only disrupt stability across the Taiwan Strait. The Chinese leadership believes that such actions are not merely technical issues in US defense policy, but political signals supporting Taiwan's de facto independence. For Washington, the Taiwan issue is both a means of pressuring China and a measure of the reliability of US commitments to its Asian allies.

In the current situation, Beijing has shown a more resolute and consistent stance: the Chinese side links the atmosphere of the summit and the overall relationship with Washington's actions on the Taiwan issue. This naturally increases the cost for the US when making each decision - whether it is arms supply or the suspension. At the same time, China is strengthening its military presence and diplomatic pressure around Taiwan, turning the Taiwan issue into an important tool affecting America's strategic agenda. In the long term, the Taiwan issue remains the most sensitive factor in Sino-US relations because it not only affects regional security but also relates to China's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The postponement of arms sales indicates that the US is using the Taiwan issue as a tactical negotiation tool within its broader agenda (covering areas such as trade and technology). However, this suspension cannot resolve structural contradictions: Taiwan's military construction continues, the situation across the Taiwan Strait remains tense, and every new arms sale or non-sale is interpreted as a strategic signal.

Russia has consistently supported the "One-China" principle and recognizes Taiwan as an inseparable part of China. Moscow criticized US arms sales to Taiwan as a destabilizing factor in the Asia-Pacific region and interpreted them within the broader context of the US's policy to contain China.

Source: soutniknews

Original: toutiao.com/article/1858839379670016/

Disclaimer: This article represents the views of the author."