US approves potential $330mln aircraft-parts sale to Taiwan

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
Today 13:20

The US approved a US$330m sale of fighter-jet spare parts to Taiwan, its first announced under Trump, as Beijing demands Japan retract PM Takaichi’s Taiwan remarks.

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A Taiwanese Air Force flag bearer passes by one of the newly commissioned upgraded F-16V fighter jets at Air Force base in Chiayi in southwestern Taiwan on November 18, 2021 (AP)

The United States on Thursday approved the possible sale to Taiwan of fighter-jet spare and repair parts worth $330 million, the Pentagon said, marking the first arms transaction announced under US President Donald Trump’s administration.

“The proposed sale will improve the recipient’s capability to meet current and future threats by maintaining the operational readiness of the recipient’s fleet of F-16, C-130,” the Pentagon said in a statement.

Washington said the package is intended to preserve Taiwan’s operational readiness and defensive posture. Taipei’s Defense Ministry welcomed the announcement, saying the parts would help “maintain fighter readiness, bolster air defences, strengthen defensive resilience and enhance the island’s ability to respond to China’s ‘gray-zone’ incursions," noting that the sales are expected to “take effect” within one month.

“The United States continues to help Taiwan maintain sufficient self-defense capabilities, for which the ministry expresses its gratitude,” the Ministry added.

Taiwan, Japan fear China-US rapprochement

The approval comes amid heightened strategic tensions in the Indo-Pacific and follows a recent meeting between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea. The announcement re-ignited concerns in Taipei that high-level talks between Washington and Beijing might lead to compromises over Taiwan, concerns that the sale aims to blunt.

On its part, Beijing said that the arms sales “seriously violate the One China principle.”

“The United States' arms sales to Taiwan seriously violate the ‘One China’ principle,” said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian at a regular press conference when asked about the deal

“China is strongly dissatisfied and firmly opposed to this,” he added.

China demands Japan retract Taiwan remarks

Meanwhile, Beijing demanded that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi retract what the Chinese Foreign Ministry called “egregious” remarks about Taiwan, warning that Tokyo “must bear all consequences” if it does not do so.

The dispute erupted after Takaichi told Japan’s parliament that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could constitute a “situation threatening Japan’s survival,” justifying a military response under Japan’s self-defense framework.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin said Takaichi’s comments were a “crude interference” in China’s internal affairs that had dealt a “heavy blow” to bilateral relations, and warned that any Japanese military intervention would be treated as aggression.

“Should Japan dare to intervene militarily in the Taiwan Strait situation, it will constitute an act of aggression, and China will strike back decisively,” Lin said.

Understanding the One China Policy

China-Taiwan relations cannot be addressed without considering the One China Policy, which recognizes that there is only one China, encompassing both mainland China and Taiwan. Countries, such as the United States, that formally recognize the People’s Republic of China (PRC) do not maintain official diplomatic relations with Taiwan (Republic of China, ROC).

After the Chinese Civil War, which lasted from 1945 to 1949, the PRC was established on the mainland, while the KMT-led ROC government retreated to Taiwan. Most countries, including the US, recognize the PRC as the sole government of China. The United States has traditionally adhered to the One China Policy, recognizing the PRC as the sole legal government of China and limiting official ties with Taiwan.

However, recent developments have raised questions about Washington’s commitment. In 2025, the State Department removed longstanding language asserting it does not support Taiwan independence, while Congress debated resolutions advocating closer ties with Taipei. The US has also conducted military exercises and continued approving arms sales with Taiwan, prompting Beijing to warn that such actions contravene the policy.