For Taiwan, Trump’s ‘protection’ money may mean new and early big ticket arms deals

For Taiwan, Trump’s ‘protection’ money may mean new and early big ticket arms deals

“Watch for Taiwan on the defence side to try and start engaging them on a big arms package – to do something significant, very large,” Rupert Hammond-Chambers, president of the U.S.-Taiwan Business Council which helps broker defence exchanges between Washington and Taipei, told Reuters, adding it could come in the first quarter of next year.

“But think of it as a down payment, an attention getter,” he said. “They’ll stack up several big platforms and big buys of munitions.”

The U.S. is already Taiwan’s most important arms supplier, although Taiwan has complained of an order backlog worth some $20 billion. A new order, almost $2 billion of missile systems, was announced last month.

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Profile at BowerGroupAsia: Rupert Hammond-Chambers

Taiwan Continues Toward US-Engineered “Ukraine-ization”

The Chinese Island province of Taiwan continues to be targeted by the US and its political proxies through efforts to further consolidate political control over it and transform it into a geopolitical “battering ram” against the rest of China.

Taiwan Continues Toward US-Engineered “Ukraine-ization”

Previously:

Containing China: US Using Taiwan as East Asian “Ukraine”

Report: US Military Advisors Deployed to Taiwan-Controlled Islands on China’s Coast

The US-backed NED candidate Willy Lie from the NED-backed party won

Taiwan ruling party’s Lai takes initial lead in presidential vote

Taiwan ruling party’s Lai takes initial lead in presidential vote

Lai, Taiwan’s vice president, reached more than three million votes by early evening after polls closed at 4 p.m. (0800 GMT), according by to a running tally by Taiwanese media, putting him comfortably ahead of his two rivals, though no party has conceded or claimed victory.

The parliamentary elections are equally important, especially if no party wins a majority, potentially hindering the new president’s ability to pass legislation and spending, especially for defence.

Former Japanese prime minister provocatively visits Taiwan

In another provocative move directed at Beijing, former Japanese prime minister and virulent anti-China hawk Taro Aso recently visited Taiwan for three days. He met with senior government officials, including President Tsai Ing-wen and declared that Japan, the US and Taiwan should ramp up plans for war with mainland China.

Former Japanese prime minister provocatively visits Taiwan

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China strongly condemns Japanese politician’s visit to Taiwan: FM spokesperson