U.S. Approves Record $11 Billion Weapons Sale to Taiwan

The United States has approved a major $11 billion arms sale to Taiwan. This is the largest weapons package of its kind to the island. The sale threatens to worsen relations with China. Beijing claims Taiwan as its own territory and strongly opposes any foreign military support for it. The deal comes after a recent easing of tensions. Former President Donald Trump had reached a trade truce with Beijing. This new arms sale risks undoing that diplomatic thaw. The U.S. says such sales are necessary for Taiwan's self-defense. China has consistently condemned them as a violation of its sovereignty.