Despite Chinese pressure, the US signs new arms deal with Taiwan

The United States on Monday approved the sale of 100 Harpoon coastal defense systems worth $ 2.4 billion (2.03 billion euros) to Taiwan. Earlier in the day, China announced it would impose sanctions against US companies involved in previous arms sales to the island, which China considers a renegade province.

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The proposed transaction “will improve Taiwan’s defense capabilities,” the US State Department said in a statement. Last week, the ministry already approved the sale of 135 air-to-ground missiles to the island.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian previously urged the US to “ stop the sale of weapons to the island. ”

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