Using an authority from the US Congress that draws weapons directly from American stockpiles, President Joe Biden has announced USD 345 million in military support for Taiwan.According to the information, Biden authorised the shipment of weapons to Taiwan using the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) that Congress granted last year. the sources claim that it includes man-portable air-defence systems (MANPADS), weapons and missiles in addition to intelligence and surveillance potentials.The announcement was first made public as a memorandum to the secretary of state, directing the withdrawal of “defence articles and services of the Department of Defence, and military education and training, to provide assistance to Taiwan.”President Biden: I direct the drawdown of up to $345 million in defense articles and services of the Department of Defense, and military education and training, to provide assistance to Taiwan:https://t.co/nV8XCvoxUb— Taiwan Defense (@taiwandefense) July 28, 2023The memorandum shared by the White House reads, “By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 621 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (FAA), I hereby delegate to the Secretary of State the authority under section 506(a)(3) of the FAA to direct the drawdown of up to $345 million in defence articles and services of the Department of Defense, and military education and training, to provide assistance to Taiwan.”According to the sources, almost 1 billion dollars were allocated in the US budget for 2023 for the shipping of weapons to Taiwan, and the administration was tasked by Congress with delivering all outstanding military supplies to the autonomous island.Notably, Taiwan is encouraged by the US to have the defensive capabilities and diplomatic power to oppose a forced takeover by Beijing, whether through military war or economic pressure.
