(CNN) The Trump administration has alerted Congress of its intent to move forward with three advanced weapons sales to Taiwan, a congressional aide and a source familiar told CNN Monday. A State Department spokesperson said that "as a matter of policy, we do not comment on or confirm proposed defense sales until they have been formally notified to Congress." Washington has long provided arms to the island under the terms of the 40-year-old Taiwan Relations Act. However, there has been an increase in arms sales to Taiwan during the Trump administration as the US has grown closer to Taipei. The Trump administration has previously approved several major arms sales to Taiwan valued at more than $13 billion in total, including dozens of F-16 fighter jets, M1A2T Abrams tanks, portable Stinger anti-aircraft missiles and MK-48 Mod6 torpedoes.

Source: CNN October 12, 2020 18:56 UTC