US approved sale of submarine parts to Taiwan to make money, not arm island, analysts say
Even with green light from Washington, Taipei still has a long way to go before it will be able to develop new fleet, according to observers
Washington’s approval of US defence contractors supplying Taiwan with the technology and parts it needs to build submarines should be seen as a straightforward trade deal rather than military support, analysts said.
“Trump’s Asian-Pacific policy is to encourage its Asian allies to increase their defence capabilities and buy arms from the US,” said Wang Kung-yi, a professor of political science at Chinese Culture University in Taipei.
Trump’s Asian-Pacific policy is to encourage its Asian allies to increase their defence capabilities and buy arms from the US
“As long as it allows the US to earn more money, granting the marketing licence is the right move,” he said.
Without the cutting-edge technologies, sophisticated firearms systems, and expertise in testing and integrating hardware and weapons systems, Taiwan’s hopes of building eight submarines would be at risk, the analysts said.
