US Approves $228 Million Possible Military Sale of Spare Parts to Taiwan

The U.S. State Department has approved Taiwan’s request to buy up to $228 million of military equipment parts and related services, the Pentagon said on Sept. 16. The proposed sale can help sustain Taiwan’s defense capabilities, maintain “political stability, military balance, and economic progress in the region,” and serve “U.S. national, economic, and security interests,” the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a statement. The agency said it had notified Congress of the possible sale on Sept. 16. While the United States does not have an official relationship with Taiwan, it’s the major arms provider to Taiwan, so the self-ruled island can maintain credible deterrence to a potential conflict with communist-ruled mainland China....