Yui told Bloomberg’s weekend program that “the speed could be a little faster” but that Washington understands the threat Taiwan faces and will provide the necessary equipment. He said the US has been clear there is no change in policy toward Taiwan and has not yielded to Xi Jinping’s demand that Washington explicitly oppose Taiwanese independence. A senior administration official said Trump would make a determination on the package in a fairly short time, without elaborating. Air defences make up a substantial share of the proposed package.
Trump paused the package in May, calling it a “very good negotiating chip” in dealings with Beijing, and has long said he would decide “soon.” Pressure is building on Capitol Hill: Senator John Kennedy said on September 29 that the administration should proceed now that Xi’s Washington visit is over, adding he would sell Taiwan “even more if they want.” Washington approved an $11.1 billion sale in December, described as the largest to Taiwan by any president since 1979.