China demands that Trump administration cancel $1.4 billion arms sale to Taiwan

Taiwan fires U.S.-supplied weapons in drill

(Image credit: Sam Yeh/AFP/Getty Images)

last updated 30 June 2017

On Thursday, the State Department announced arms sales to Taiwan worth $1.42 billion, the first such sale under President Trump. The sale shows "support for Taiwan's ability to maintain a sufficient self-defense capability," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert told reporters, but it doesn't signal any change in America's adherence to the "one China" policy; the U.S. is Taiwan's only arms supplier. The deal requires congressional approval. China reacted angrily on Friday, demanding that the U.S. cancel the sale. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said the deal would pose a serious threat to China's sovereignty and security, and harm Sino-U.S. relations. The last arms sale to Taiwan was approved by former President Barack Obama in 2015.

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.