Taiwan Negotiates $15 Billion Arms Deal With U.S.

Taiwan is considering the purchase of a large weapons package from the United States, including dozens of cutting-edge F-35s, the Financial Times reported on November 11.

A former Trump official stated that to show Donald Trump it is serious about defending itself against China, Taiwan is mulling over the purchase of 10 retired warships, including a powerful Aegis destroyer.

Those involved in the discussions speculate the country may also seek to purchase four cutting-edge E-2 Hawkeye early warning aircraft, 400 Patriot missiles and up to 60 highly advanced F-35 fighter jets—a package deal costing over $15 billion.

Previous deals: During his first term, Trump approved 11 deals with Taiwan with a combined cost of $21 billion, which included F-16 fighter jets, Stinger air defense missiles and the M1 Abrams tank.

Taiwan’s concerns: China unlawfully claims Taiwan as its own and has ramped up its aggression toward the island nation, going so far as to encircle it during military drills in October. Despite a temporary show of will, the U.S. does not have the long-term determination to stand up to China.

Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry has long forecast Taiwan’s eventual fall to China. In the August 1998 Trumpet, he wrote:

How could anyone fail to see that Taiwan is destined to become a part of mainland China? These [23.4] million people are going to be forced into the Chinese mold; and it is going to happen for one reason: because of a pitifully weak-willed America.

Learn more: Read “Taiwan Betrayal.”