US reportedly pursuing $2 billion weapon sale with Taiwan

The United States is preparing to sell Taiwan more than $2 billion in weapons and tanks, according to Reuters.

Congress has been sent an informal notice of the proposed sale, the news service reported, citing four people familiar with the negotiations. The sale would include 108 General Dynamics Corp M1A2 Abrams tanks and anti-tank and anti-aircraft munitions, according to three of Reuters’s sources.

{mosads}The U.S. is Taiwan’s only arms supplier. The move is likely to exacerbate tensions with China amid an ongoing trade war between China and the U.S. China considers Taiwan part of the country.

Taiwan has an existing inventory of U.S.-manufactured tanks, including the M60 Patton model, but it also has expressed interest for the past several years in updating its supply, according to the news service.

While President Trump has publicly said he remains committed to the longtime “One China” policy, the White House in May endorsed a request from Taiwan to purchase more than 60 F-16 fighter jets.

In May, China was reportedly angered by a meeting between Taiwanese national security chief David Lee and White House national security adviser John Bolton, the first meeting between U.S. and Taiwanese security officials in more than four decades. China has also expressed dismay at increased U.S. naval patrols through the Taiwan Strait in recent months.

A State Department official told The Hill that the department does not comment on pending or potential arms sales.