Taiwan Planning Major Arms Purchase from U.S.

Taiwan authorities are considering an arms purchase package worth billions of dollars from the U.S., according to a Reuters report. Chinese mainland experts regard it as a move of the island authorities aimed at currying favor with the Trump administration in terms of both easing tariff pressure and attempting to “resist reunification by force,” according to Global Times. Reuters reported on Feb. 17 that the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities are “in talks with Washington” on arm sales, “hoping to win support from the new Trump administration.”