Sao Paulo
The United States and its allies must accelerate arms supplies to Taiwan in the coming years if they are to deter Chinese action against the island, the top US general said Friday.
“The rate at which we, the US and other countries are helping Taiwan improve its defense capabilities likely needs to be accelerated in the coming years,” US Chief of Staff Mark Milley told reporters during a visit to Tokyo. “If Taiwan is militarily able to signal to Beijing’s leaders that attacking Taiwan the costs, the risks of attacking Taiwan would outweigh the potential benefits, then those leaders would not do it militarily if they were thinking rationally.” .”
Washington is the main supplier of Taipei’s military arsenal a condition at odds with Beijing, for which Taiwan is a rebel province. China, which has acknowledged the possibility of using force to seize territory, has repeatedly called for an end to US arms sales to the island.
For Milley, the island needs tools such as air defense systems and weapons capable of attacking ships from the ground. “It is important that Taiwan’s armed forces and their defense capabilities are improved,” he said.
Taipei has been complaining for months about US ally delays in delivering weapons like Stinger antiaircraft missiles. According to the Wall Street Journal, in November US authorities admitted that $19 billion worth of arms shipments to the territory were delayed.
Since last February, the island has had to share its production with manufacturers who have another target: Ukraine, which is fighting Russian forces. The issue has worried some US lawmakers. Under the law, the US Congress would be required to help defend Taiwan in the event of an attack, although Washington typically refuses to answer how the US would proceed in such a scenario.
According to Taiwan, this year’s defense spending will focus on preparing weapons and equipment for a “total blockade” of China, including parts for F16 fighter jets.
The statement has the potential to soften countries’ diplomatic efforts in recent months after a period of high tensions between powers. One of the triggers for the hostile climate was the visit of Nancy Pelosi, then Speaker of the US House of Representatives, to Taiwan last August.
After the incident, China held military drills on the island, firing missiles over the capital and declaring nofly and navigation zones a simulation of how it would try to isolate Taiwan in a war.
For the past few days, Beijing has been practicing joint sea operations ahead of Taiwan’s annual military drills later this month, during which the island will simulate breaking a Chinese blockade.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen have been guests in Beijing for the past two months. Milley said USChina relations are at a “very low point” and recent diplomatic meetings are important to reduce the likelihood of escalation.
Milley also said the US is evaluating the need to reorganize the deployment of some of its armed forces in the AsiaPacific region. Most of its military bases in the region are in Northeast Asia. “We are seriously considering alternatives,” Milley said.