Florida [US], December 23 (ANI): US President-elect Donald Trump has known as Taiwan “a major issue for world peace” throughout a gathering with Akie Abe, the widow of the late Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe, Taipei Times reported.
The dialogue passed off on December 15 on the Mar-a-Lago property in Florida, the place the 2 mentioned a wide range of world points, together with the continued Russo-Ukrainian warfare and tensions within the Taiwan Strait.
Trump’s feedback on Taiwan’s significance highlighted the importance of the potential Taiwan-China battle and its broader implications for world peace. This signifies his administration’s stance of putting excessive precedence on addressing the scenario in Taiwan. “We want to create an opportunity to exchange opinions as soon as possible and at a mutually convenient time,” stated Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Takeshi Iwaya, as he mentioned potential diplomatic engagements between Trump and Japanese officers.
During the assembly, Trump additionally introduced a guide of images with the phrase “peace” written inside, which was given to Akie Abe to go on to Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. Although Trump has not but met with Ishiba, Japanese media reported that Ishiba could go to the US subsequent month earlier than Trump’s inauguration, with the goal of holding discussions on problems with mutual curiosity, reported Taipei Times.
This signifies that Taiwan and associated safety considerations may characteristic prominently within the US-Japan agenda as soon as the brand new administration takes workplace.
In associated news, Rupert Hammond-Chambers, president of the US-Taiwan Business Council (USTBC), commented on the most recent US arms sale to Taiwan. The US accepted the sale of USD 265 million in navy tools, which incorporates 309 Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio Systems Variant 5.
The deal additionally consists of help in integrating these programs into Taiwan’s Patriot and different missile defence programs and F-16 Block 20 jets.
This arms sale marks the nineteenth accepted by the Biden administration to Taiwan and is a part of the broader US technique to help its allies and companions, together with Israel and Ukraine, Taipei Times reported.
Hammond-Chambers said that whereas the movement of arms help gives materials and political advantages, it stays a slender response to the complete extent of the risk posed by China’s rising navy energy. “While the constant flow of support has material and political benefits, it has, regrettably, been overly narrow in response to the totality of the threat posed by China’s military forces,” he stated.
Looking forward, Hammond-Chambers famous that Taiwan President Lai Ching-te is prone to be proactive in in search of additional safety help. “Lai will likely present the incoming Trump administration with an ambitious agenda, including increased spending, requests to purchase new platforms and systems, and expanding resources available for the coast guard sustainment and training,” he added.
This means that Taiwan will proceed to press for larger defence capabilities, as tensions within the area persist. (ANI)