Breitbart News
Date: 8 Apr 201865
By: John J. Xenakis
In a further challenge to China, the Trump administration has approved a marketing
SAM YEH/AFP/Getty Images
Taiwan’s president Tsai Ing-wen on a Dutch-built submarine last year. (AP)
license that will allow U.S. manufacturers to sell submarine technology to Taiwan.
For years, Taiwan has tried to acquire submarines from other countries, but China has repeatedly used pressure and threats on those countries to prevent the sales. Taiwan purchased two submarines from the Netherlands in the 1980s, but China has successfully blocked other sales since then. In 2012, Taiwan began a program to build its own diesel submarines, but that program still required the purchase of submarine technology from other countries.
Early in 2017, U.S. manufacturers expressed an interest in working on the project with Taiwan, but needed approval in the form of a “marketing license” from the U.S. State Department. That license was finally issued this week.
The decision also means that the U.S. will be able to provide Taiwan with so-called “red” parts, or technology which the island is unable to produce itself, including torpedoes and missiles. [SOURCE]
