The Joe Biden administration plans to formally ask Congress to approve the estimated $1.1 billion arms sale to Taiwan.
The news comes as China continues to send warships and aircraft daily into the Taiwan Strait, just weeks after Nancy Pelosi visited the self-governing island and condemned Beijing’s efforts to isolate and intimidate Taiwan.
In response to Pelosi’s visit, Beijing launched massive, unprecedented military exercises around Taiwan that included firing missiles over the island for the first time.
As Politico points out, the package, which is still at an early stage, includes, among other things, 60 AGM-84L Harpoon Block II missiles for $355 million, as well as 100 AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder tactical air-to-air missiles for $85.6 million .
Lawmakers are likely to approve the sale, but the process could drag on given Congress’ ongoing recess.
Fears have grown in recent years that China is positioning itself to take Taiwan by military force based on its belief that the island is part of China.
In response, the US and other Western countries have sought to bolster Taiwan’s defenses and praise its democracy, in stark contrast to Beijing’s authoritarianism.