STRIKING DEALS: Ignoring concerns about antagonizing China, the US president has taken a more aggressive approach amid talks to settle a trade dispute with Beijing
Taipei Times
Date: Mar 23, 2019
By: Bloomberg
The administration of US President Donald Trump has given tacit approval to Taiwan’s
A Taiwan Air Force F-16 fighter jet takes off from a closed section of highway during the annual Han Kuang military exercises in Chiayi, central Taiwan. Taiwan`s defense ministry says it has submitted an official request to purchase new fighter jets from the United States Photo: AP
request to buy more than 60 F-16 Fighting Falcons, people familiar with the matter said.
Trump’s advisers encouraged Taiwan to submit a formal request for the jets, built by Lockheed Martin, which it did this month, said the people, who asked not be identified discussing internal discussions.
Any such request would need to be converted into a formal proposal by the US departments of defense and state, and then US Congress would have 30 days to decide whether to block the sale.
The administration of then-US president Barack Obama in 2011 rejected a similar Taiwanese request over concern about antagonizing China. [FULL STORY]
