US Top East Asia Diplomat Says Pending Taiwan Arms Sale Won't Depend on China
The US's top diplomat for East Asian affairs has confirmed that a pending arms package to Taiwan will not depend on China, after US President Donald Trump called it a good negotiating chip.
US Arms Package to Taiwan
REPORTER:
The US’s top diplomat for East Asia has said whether President Donald Trump approves a pending arms package to Taiwan will not depend on Beijing.
Johnny Olszewski (US REPRESENTATIVE):
So, we’re not consulting with China, despite what the president said?
Michael DeSombre (ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE, EAST ASIAN AND PACIFIC AFFAIRS):
China is constantly talking to us about their desire for us not to sell arms sales to Taiwan.
Okay, so whether or not he consults, whether or not he notifies Congress does not depend on China.
Correct.
This comes after Trump said that Taiwan arms sales were a good negotiating chip and whether or not this 14 billion US dollar deal would move ahead may depend on China.
This raised concerns that the US may be straying from its long-time commitment not to consult with Beijing on arms sales to Taipei.
But the official said the Trump administration is not deviating from that.
He made the comments at a House Foreign Affairs subcommittee hearing, where at least one lawmaker declared support for Taiwan’s autonomy.
Young Kim (US REPRESENTATIVE):
The future of Taiwan must be decided by its people, not Beijing.
The state department official says the arms package is still under review and did not give a timeframe for its approval.
