Taiwan will continue to procure arms from the United States; European Union foreign ministers have agreed to suspend export licenses for military technology and equipment to Egypt
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    • According to reports, Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou said on August 23 that the island nation will continue to acquire arms from the United States, dismissing reports that the US and China could discuss ending such sales. US is the leading arms supplier to Taiwan. “The US made ‘Six Assurances’ to our country back in 1982, including not to set a date to end arms sales to Taiwan nor to hold prior consultations with China on arms sales,” Ma said, referring to the promise made by the Ronald Reagan administration. US President Barack Obama’s administration has approved more than $12 billion in sales and equipment upgrades to Taiwan but has held off on Taiwan’s requests to buy new F-16 fighter jets as China has warned against this deal.1

    Meanwhile, according to reports, European Union foreign ministers have agreed to suspend export licenses for military technology Egypt. The suspension also includes civilian equipment such as tear gas and batons. “Member states also agreed to suspend export licenses to Egypt of any equipment which might be used for internal repression and to reassess export licenses of equipment covered by Common Position 2008/944/CFSP and review their security assistance with Egypt,” according to the conclusions of the EU foreign ministers, issued August 21.2

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