The ministry denies Washington has halted the sale while a trade deal is negotiated with China
Taiwan News
Date: 2019/04/06
By: Ryan Drillsma, Taiwan News, Staff Writer
F-16V fighter jet (image by lockheedmartin.com)
TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) denies that U.S. President Donald Trump has temporarily shelved plans to sell Taiwan F16-V fighter jets until a trade deal is agreed with China.
Three Washington officials told TIME Magazine Thursday (April 6) that the sale will be put on hold, although Taiwan officials are confident it will go through once the U.S. and China seal an agreement.
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense applied to buy 66 F16-V fighter jets at the recommendation of the U.S. government on February 27. The sale would be the first time Taiwan has bought F-16s from the U.S. since 1992.
The U.S. National Defense Authorization Act stipulates the Secretary of Defense must respond to a request for defense articles within 120 days. [FULL STORY]
