First US military transfer to Taiwan approved under program for sovereign states

The Biden administration approved the first-ever U.S. military transfer to Taiwan under a program that is generally reserved for sovereign states. 

The State Department notified Congress of the sale Wednesday, according to The Associated Press, which obtained a copy of the notification. The notification said the material would “be used to strengthen Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities.” 

The package carves out $80 million of a potential $2 billion set aside in Taiwan Foreign Military Financing (FMF) as part of the fiscal 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

The implication of FMF likely will escalate tensions between the U.S. and China, which considers Taiwan to be part of its sovereign territory and seeks reunification with the island.

Beijing has not ruled out the use of force to reunite with Taiwan, which is a self-governing island, and has protested all U.S. arms sales to the self-governing island. 

U.S. officials emphasized the provision of FMF funding to Taiwan does not represent a change in America's current policy on Taiwan, according to reporting from the AP. 

This is the second time the U.S. has provided military assistance under FMF to a non-nation-state, the first being to the African Union, American officials reportedly said per the AP.

FMF funding uses U.S. taxpayer dollars to fund the supply of materials to foreign countries. 

AP reported the copy of the notification did not include exactly what military equipment or systems would be covered by the FMF funding, but it said items that could be covered include air and coastal defense systems, armed vehicles and ballistic missile cyber defenses.

FMF could also be used to support training for Taiwanese military forces.

The White House nor the State Department immediately responded to The Hill’s request for comment. 

The Associated Press contributed.