TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The presidential drawdown authority of military aid to Taiwan is in line with US policy, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said during a press conference on Monday (Sept. 30).
Washington aims to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, Jean-Pierre said, according to the White House. “That is our goal, and we’ve always been very clear about that, and that’s what we want to see.”
In a memorandum released on Sunday, the Biden administration ordered the drawdown of up to US$567 million (NT$17.94 billion) in weapons, training, and logistic support for Taiwan. Presidential drawdown authority “allows for the speedy delivery” of weapons and related services to foreign countries and global organizations to respond to “unforeseen emergencies,” according to the US State Department.
The press secretary reiterated the US’ “one China” policy, and said it is guided by the Taiwan Relations Act, Three Joint Communiques, and Six Assurances. Work toward regional peace is something the US has “been focused on over the past three and a half years, and we’re continuing to do this,” she said.
Jean-Pierre added that the presidential drawdown authority is just one example of America’s commitment to Taiwan’s defense.
Sunday’s announcement follows Biden’s approval of the Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Appropriations Act in April, which allotted US$2 billion for the Foreign Military Financing Program for US security partners in the Indo-Pacific, including Taiwan to counter Chinese aggression. The US also budgeted US$1.9 billion to replenish military equipment and services to regional allies.
Although there is still a major backlog of arms deliveries to Taiwan, multiple weapons systems will make their way by the end of the year, including F-16V fighter jets and M1A2T Abrams tanks. The first batch of Harpoon missile systems recently arrived in Taiwan. The US approved the potential sale of 100 coastal defense missile systems and 400 Harpoon missiles to Taiwan in 2020. One hundred twenty-six missiles will be delivered by the end of 2026.
