Mickey Bristow

I think the first thing to say about it is the price.

$11 billion worth of arms, that's a big deal.

And I think you have to go back 20-odd years since the United States sold Taiwan as many weapons as this, included rocket systems, anti-tank missiles, drones, medium-range missiles, all kinds of things, software, spare parts, a lot of kit, $11 billion worth.

And it solidifies the idea that President Trump, who had seemed ambivalent about whether or not to defend Taiwan against China, China believes Taiwan is part of its own territory.

President Trump had been quite ambivalent about whether he was going to support Taiwan.

So it seems to suggest that he's decided that he does have to show his support.

Well, they're defensive, essentially.

I mean, Taiwan is in no way going to threaten China.

It's its biggest neighbour, China, over the last few decades, as we've been hearing.

year after year has been building up its weapons systems.

Also, over recent years, it's been targeting Taiwan with gray zone tactics, sort of like buzzing the island with aircraft and ships surrounding it.

There have been dozens just near Taiwanese airspace over the last 24 hours or so.

So essentially, Taiwan is looking for weapons to defend itself against China because China, as I said, believe the island is part of its territory.

It's not renounced the use of force.

People believe

President Xi Jinping of China is preparing the Chinese military to take Taiwan by force.

So these weapons are to help Taiwan defend itself against China.

No.

In fact, China's already come out and said this is a terrible move on the part of President Trump.

It essentially sees Taiwan as a domestic issue because it believes it's part of its own territory, doesn't like anybody interfering.