Biden administration expected to continue ‘normalised' sales approach for Taiwan

The Biden administration is believed to be pursuing a ‘normalised’ approach to high-profile military sales to Taiwan, similar to the methods applied under former president Donald Trump.

The normalised approach refers to a system of considering and approving major defence sales, which proceed through the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme, on a case-by-case basis as opposed to progressing deals in ‘bundles’.

The latter approach – where several FMS contracts are disclosed in one government announcement – was applied by the Obama administration.

A US Department of State spokesperson told Janes that the department declined to comment on “ongoing internal interagency deliberations”.

However, several indicators point to a continuation of the normalised approach, despite the Biden administration yet having announced any major military sales to Taiwan.

These indicators include several comments from senior US government officials about the US’ commitment to supporting Taiwan’s security as well as measures – including the newly proposed Strategic Competition Act – that look to impede China’s military-technology and strategic expansion.

“To date, the Biden administration appears to be consolidating what they inherited from the Trump administration on Taiwan policy,” Rupert Hammond-Chambers, the president of the US-Taiwan Business Council (USTBC), told Janes.

“As to defence policy, it is early. That said, it appears that programmes are moving through the US Department of Defense and State normally, which should result in case-by-case [sales], not bundling as with [former US president Barack] Obama.”

Hammond-Chambers said the USTBC advocates a “normalised and regular” approach to US military sales to Taiwan that “ensures steady, transparent support for Taiwan’s force modernisation efforts”.