Iran Press/ America: "I hereby delegate to the Secretary of State the authority… to direct the drawdown of up to $345 million in defense articles and services of the Department of Defense, and military education and training, to provide assistance to Taiwan," US President Joe Biden said on Friday.
The Biden administration has repeatedly said it seeks to maintain the status quo across the Taiwan Strait and remains committed to prior agreements between the United States and China regarding Taiwan.
However, the new military package also comes amid a break in military-to-military contact between the United States and China. Tensions have been rising between the United States and the People's Republic of China in recent years, largely over Taiwan and territorial disputes in the South China Sea. The aid is in addition to the nearly $19 billion in military equipment and weapons sales that the US approved for Taiwan.
The United States officially supports the "One China" policy, which admits that Taiwan is part of mainland China. Ostensibly, the United States does not recognize the Taiwanese government, but does have economic ties and US law requires that the government consider threats to the island a "grave concern."
Like much of the aid given to Ukraine, the $345 million package will come out of US stockpiles, enabling quick shipment.
211
