Tian Hongmao: U.S. defense companies cannot delay the US$14 billion arms sales to Taiwan forever

The Cultural and Educational Foundation of the National Policy Research Institute held a symposium on "The Second Sichuan-Xi Meeting and the U.S.-China Game" today (26th), and Dean Tian Hongmao delivered a speech.

The U.S. Congress approved US$14 billion in arms sales to Taiwan in January this year, but the arms sales are still on hold in the White House. Chinese people are concerned about whether the arms sales will be affected after the second meeting between Trump and Xi. In this regard, Tian Hongmaojin, the presidential counselor and director of the Institute of National Policy, said on the 26th that US$14 billion in arms sales to Taiwan has been approved by the US Congress, and the executive branch cannot but support it. The US government will also consider the survival of defense enterprises. US$14 billion is not a small amount, and US defense enterprises cannot delay delivery forever.

The National Policy Research Institute held a symposium today on "The Second Trump-Xi Meeting and the U.S.-China Game." Dean Tian Hongmao delivered a closing speech and pointed out that this "Sichuan-Xi Meeting" paid more attention to ritual and formal significance, including U.S. President Trump's personal pick-up at the airport, preparation of military salutes and state banquets, etc. Substantive issues were not urgent, and it was a "gaudy" leadership summit. The United States and China still have serious differences in many aspects such as national interests, ideologies, and political systems. It is difficult to fundamentally resolve the "large principle-level relationship" between the two parties through meetings and negotiations.

Regarding Taiwan-U.S. relations, Tian Hongmao believes that the U.S. executive branch often does not fully meet our expectations when implementing policies. However, U.S. states are currently eager to develop economic and trade relations with Taiwan, and more than 70% to 80% of U.S. senators and representatives support Taiwan.

Regarding the issue of U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, Tian Hongmao further pointed out that U.S. arms sales to Taiwan require congressional approval, and the U.S. Congress has passed the quota for arms sales to Taiwan, and the U.S. executive branch must support it. After U.S. defense industry-related companies receive orders from the U.S. Department of Defense, they have to raise funds for design and manufacturing, and cannot delay delivery forever. US$14 billion is not a small amount for related industries, and the U.S. executive branch must also consider the issue of corporate survival.