State Department Approves $1.1 Billion Arms Sale to Taiwan

Washington is shoring up Taiwan’s defense. The State Department approved a $1.1 billion arms sale to the island on Friday and is waiting for Congress’s approval. The pending sale comes after a series of escalations in the three-way tensions between Beijing, Taiwan, and the United States. In early August, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi traveled to Taiwan, making her the highest-ranking U.S. politician to visit the island in 25 years. Soon after, Beijing responded by conducting live military drills near Taiwan.