Taiwan will rely increasingly on US diplomatic support

Subject

The latest US support for Taiwan.

Significance

The US State Department on September 24 approved the sale of 330 million dollars' worth of military aircraft parts to Taiwan -- the latest of several moves in Washington this month that increase support for Taiwan. On September 3, a bill was introduced to Congress that allows the State Department to penalise other countries for severing diplomatic relations with Taiwan. On September 7, senior US diplomats were recalled from Latin American countries that had done so.

Impacts

• The US defence department will work more closely with Taiwan’s military to upgrade its capabilities.
• Despite US disapproval, more of Taiwan’s diplomatic partners will probably switch to China, given the economic incentives.
• Loss of diplomatic allies could become a major issue in Taiwan's 2020 national elections, to the ruling party's detriment.